
Toulouse is already France’s most attractive city. Published in December 2024, the latest census figures still place the pink city in fourth place. However, according to forecasts, its rapid demographic growth will reshuffle the rankings. Toulouse will become France’s 3rd most populous city, ahead of Lyon.(You didn’t have to steal our cassoulet). We tell you all about it.
The booming Ville Rose: Toulouse, France’s future 3rd largest city
Toulouse has a lot going for it. Its lively streets, its many restaurants, its vibrant cultural life… The effervescence of this fast-growing metropolis blends with the timeless charm of pink brick. The city of Garonne – now home to 511,684 people – is poised to reach a historic milestone.
According to forecasts, it will dislodge Lyon from its position as the third most populous city in France. This meteoric rise, driven by economic dynamism and an enviable quality of life, could take place as early as the end of 2025. This should mark a turning point in French urban geography, without dislodging the top two cities. Paris remains France’s most populous city, with 2,113,705 inhabitants. Marseille is second, with 877,215 inhabitants.
But what is the secret behind Toulouse’s irresistible appeal? The answer lies in a skilfully balanced cocktail of professional opportunities, particularly in cutting-edge sectors such as aerospace, and a southern lifestyle that is attracting more and more newcomers. The Toulouse conurbation gains no less than 15,000 inhabitants every year, making it the most dynamic of France’s major metropolises. This exceptional growth is not confined to Toulouse, but extends to the entire Occitanie region.
Toulouse’s attractiveness: a promising future, but challenges ahead
But this growth is not all good news. Toulouse also faces a number of challenges. The growing population means increased pressure on infrastructure, housing and public services. The municipality seems well aware of these challenges, and says it is committed to developing sustainable solutions to accompany this evolution.
Ambitious projects, such as the extension of the public transport network (line C) and the creation of new green spaces, aim to preserve the quality of life of Toulousans while welcoming newcomers. In this way, Toulouse is asserting itself not only as a pole of attraction, but also as a resilient city, ready to meet the challenges of the future while retaining its unique identity.