- Nice had 353,701 inhabitants as of January 1, 2023, according to the legal population figures published by INSEE (municipal population). The city ranks fifth among the most populated French municipalities, behind Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Toulouse.
- Between 2017 and 2023, Nice’s population increased by 17,000 residents, representing a growth of +0.9%, according to France 3 Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, based on INSEE data. These figures are as of January 1, 2023.
- At the departmental level, Nice remains the most populous municipality in the Alpes-Maritimes.
Drivers of population change
According to INSEE, population growth in Nice is mainly based on a positive migratory balance, meaning more arrivals than departures. The natural balance, corresponding to the difference between births and deaths, remains positive.
INSEE also states, as reported by France 3 Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, that the Alpes-Maritimes department has attracted working people, especially professionals and executives, over the 2017–2023 period.
Attractiveness: what rankings show
Several rankings place Nice among major French and European cities:
- First major French metropolitan area with over 300,000 inhabitants for quality of life (2025 ranking), according to the “Villes et villages où il fait bon vivre” association, published by Le Journal du Dimanche
- 13th nationally among all municipalities in the same ranking
- 6th among French cities with over 100,000 inhabitants
- 4th European destination for investment, according to Forbes USA
Quality of life and urban development
The Promenade du Paillon is the subject of an extension project aimed at ensuring the continuity of the existing urban park and creating new public spaces. The funding is based on a framework combining the State, local authorities, and European funds.
According to the Kermap study (2023), Nice has 33% vegetation cover, with 53 m² of green space per inhabitant. The area has implemented the “Grand Parc de la Plaine du Var” project, integrating 140,000 trees.
Events of national and international significance
Nice hosted the final stage of the Tour de France in 2024, and will host the final stage of the Women’s Tour de France in 2026, as well as the United Nations Ocean Conference in 2025.
Regional context
The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region had 5,218,960 inhabitants as of January 1, 2023, according to INSEE.
Between 2017 and 2023, the regional population grew by an average of +0.6% per year. This trend is linked to a positive migratory balance.
Sources: INSEE, France info, France 3 Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Journal du Dimanche, étude Kermap, Forbes USA.
