Paris is home to a diverse population. A high percentage of students, young workers and elderly people, many tourists and a large number of foreign residents: a true cultural richness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayMore than two million people live in Paris. From the last complete census (1999) it appears that the capital had 2,125,246 inhabitants for a surface area of ​​10,540 hectares, i.e. more than 20,000 inhabitants per square kilometre. It is the densest area in France. According to recent studies, the number of Parisians increased by 19,000 between 1999 and 2004, after a steady decline since 1950. This upward trend continues. Today, Parisians represent 19.3% of the population of the Paris region (Ile-de-France), or one person in five, and 3.6% of the French population, or one person in twenty-eight. The city reached its highest recorded population level in 1921 with nearly three million residents. Since then, the number of citizens has gradually decreased. However, tourists are increasing every year. Paris welcomed approximately 27 million visitors in 2006. The least populated central arrondissements Population density varies between the various arrondissements (districts). The least populated arrondissements are the 12th (8,370 inhabitants per km�, due to the Bois de Vincennes forest) and the 1st (9,228 inhabitants per km�). On the contrary, the most densely populated arrondissement is the 11th (more than 40,000 inhabitants per km). Paris is the French department with the lowest average number of inhabitants per family. The average size of Parisian families is less than two people (1.75): the majority of families have only one child (50% of families). Many singles live in the capital. The number of inhabitants also varies between the various arrondissements. The three most populated arrondissements are, in order, the 15th, 18th and 20th. The least populated arrondissements are the small neighborhoods in the city center: the 1st, 2nd and 4th arrondissements. A melting pot of a cityWho is Paris home today? People originally from Paris are rare. Most residents were not born in the city. Once they reach retirement age, many leave Paris to retire in the provinces and especially in the South of France. Paris is a rather young city with a lower mortality rate than the rest of France. In Paris there are many working women: the employment rate of mothers with two children has reached 82%, a figure much higher than the national average. Keep in mind: this is just one example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Approximately 310,000 foreigners live in Paris, representing 14% of the total population. This is significant even though the number of foreigners residing in Paris has been decreasing since 1982. Over the same period, the number of people obtaining French nationality has increased. Among foreigners residing in Paris, 70% do not come from EU member states. Foreign citizens come from a wide range of countries. Studies, work, family... there are many reasons that bring foreigners to Paris. The number of different nationalities in Paris is greater than in the suburbs. North Africans, Turks and European citizens who make up 78% of foreigners living in France represent only 56% of Parisians with foreign nationality.