Facts, July 1999 Population: 9 918 040 Age structure: 0-14 years: 17 percent (male 866 115; female 820 438) 15-64 years: 68 percent (male 3 283 345; female 3 428 427) 65 years and over: 15 percent (male 619 086; female 900 629) Population growth rate: -0.13 percent Birth rate: 10,49 births/1,000 population Death rate: 10.25 deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate: -1.51 migrants/1,000 population Life expectancy at birth: Total population: 75.88 years Male: 72.51 years Female: 79.46 years Ethnic groups: homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent who immigrated to the mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000.