Student numbers declining steadily

The number of high school students in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is expected to decrease steadily over the next decade due to long-term declines in birth rates. This trend has already been observed, with enrollment numbers dropping since 2018, according to the French National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee).

Projections for 2040

By 2040, the number of high school students in the region could drop by 21 percent compared to current levels. This would bring the total number of students down to around 64,400, which is a fifth fewer than today’s numbers.

Regional variations in decline

While student numbers are expected to decrease across the entire region between 2025 and 2040, the decline will not be uniform. Areas near the Swiss border will experience a less severe drop, while regions east of the Yonne, west of Saône-et-Loire, in Haute-Saône, and in the Territoire de Belfort will face a more significant reduction.

Certain areas facing sharp declines

The study highlights that a dozen specific areas will see particularly sharp declines. For example, regions such as Belfort, Montbéliard-Valentigney, Gray-Vesoul, Avallon-Tonnerre, and Creusot-Montceau could lose up to a third of their student populations.

Larger cities still affected

Even in larger urban areas like Auxonne-Dijon-Brochon and Besançon, where the percentage decline is slightly lower at 18 percent, the absolute number of students lost will still be significant. These areas could see reductions of 2,300 and 1,600 students, respectively, by 2040.