Laying hens in cages and cage-free housing in France
France: Laying hens in cages and cage-free housing was 17.58 million hens in 2023. ▼ Falling
Latest (2023)
17.58 million hens
Change on year
up 8.8%
World rank
4th
of 29 countries
All-time high
31.81 million hens
in 2017
All-time low
16.16 million hens
in 2022
Years of data
5
2017–2023
Laying hens in cages and cage-free housing in France, 2017–2023
Source: European Commission (2026) and other sources – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hens.
Analysis
In 2023, laying hens in cages and cage-free housing in France stood at 17.58 million hens.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 8.8% on the previous year and down 44.7% over ten years.
France ranks 4th of 29 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Laying hens in cages and cage-free housing in France, year by year
| Year | hens | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 31.81 million hens | — |
| 2018 | 28.26 million hens | -11.1% |
| 2019 | 26.09 million hens | -7.7% |
| 2022 | 16.16 million hens | -38.1% |
| 2023 | 17.58 million hens | +8.8% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 17.58 million hens is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.63 million hens, 6.7× the median. (29 countries reporting)
- France's 17.58 million hens is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 2.63 million hens, 6.7× the median. (27 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 28.72 million hens | 26.09 million hens | 31.81 million hens | 3 |
| 2020s | 16.87 million hens | 16.16 million hens | 17.58 million hens | 2 |
Countries ranked near France
More reference data data for France
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 5.48 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 2.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 22.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 22.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 18.36 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 11.75 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 14.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 106.68 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 15.3 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is laying hens in cages and cage-free housing in France?
- Laying hens in cages and cage-free housing in France was 17.58 million hens in 2023, according to European Commission (2026) and other sources – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest laying hens in cages and cage-free housing recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 31.81 million hens in 2017.
- What is the lowest laying hens in cages and cage-free housing recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.16 million hens in 2022.
- How does France rank for laying hens in cages and cage-free housing?
- France ranks 4th out of 29 countries with data for 2023.
- Is laying hens in cages and cage-free housing rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is down 44.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission (2026) and other sources – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Laying hens in cages and cage-free housing. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 5 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Includes battery and enriched cage systems.