25 Years of PACS: France's Alternative to Marriage Gains Popularity

The pacte civil de solidarité, introduced in 1999, offers a modern union option for French couples, rivaling traditional marriage.

The PACS was initially introduced to provide legal recognition for same-sex couples, but today, over 95% of PACS are between heterosexual couples.
In 2023, for every 10 marriages in France, there were 9 PACS, highlighting a significant shift in how couples choose to formalize their unions.
Couples entering into a PACS are generally younger than those marrying, with an average age of 31, compared to 37 for marriage.
The PACS is particularly popular in urban areas and among younger, more educated demographics, serving as a modern alternative to marriage.
Since its inception, over 3.1 million PACS have been signed, reflecting its integration into French society as a viable and appealing option for couples.