COVID-19 Mortality Higher Among North African Immigrants in France, INSEE Study Finds

According to INSEE figures, 129,000 deaths from all causes were recorded in March and April at the height of the health crisis related to the coronavirus, compared to 102,800 for the same period in 2019, an increase of 25%. Several findings have been made. In particular, there are significant disparities between people born abroad and those born in France. The deaths of people born abroad increased by 48%, while the deaths of people born in France increased by 22% over the same period, the institute said.

The increase in deaths is more pronounced for people born in the Maghreb, with 8,300 deaths recorded in March-April 2020 compared to 5,400 in 2019. The statistics show 2,000 deaths compared to 900 for those born in another African country, and 1,600 deaths compared to 800 in 2019 for people from Asia.
Housing, use of public transportation, and occupation are all factors that explain this high mortality rate. One-third of people born in the Maghreb and half of those born in another African country and in Asia have their residence in Île-de-France, compared to 16% of people born in France, the INSEE points out. These people born in Africa and Asia live in very cramped housing (between 1.3 and 1.6 rooms per occupant compared to 1.8 for all residents) and usually use public transportation the most. It therefore appears difficult for them to observe social distancing, a recommended gesture in the prevention of covid-19.

Furthermore, the INSEE explains that 14% of people born in a Maghreb country and 15% of those born in another African country are "key workers" (healthcare personnel, nursing assistants, ambulance drivers, law enforcement, public transportation, firefighters, salespeople, delivery people, cleaning agents, etc.) who are among the workers most exposed to the risk of contamination, compared to 11% of deceased persons born in France.