Arabs in France

Demographics

French people of Arab and Amazigh/North African origin (predominantly from Maghreb but also some from Mashreq areas of the Arab world) in France forms the second largest ethnic group after French people of French origin.

There are no official figures concerning the demographics of French people of Arab/African descent because ethnic statistics are forbidden in France.

Most immigration was in 1960 and 1970, a period of economic growth, but many of them managed to bring their families after 1970. They have settled mainly in the industrial regions in France, especially the Paris region, but also in Marseille and other places.

Notable people

Maghrebis

Many notable French people have Maghrebi ancestry since Arabs in France are predominantly Maghrebis.

Politics

• Arnaud Montebourg, politician, former Minister of the Economy, and candidate for the Socialist Party's presidential nomination
• Azouz Begag, sociologist and politician for various parties, e.g. Mouvement Démocrate
• Kader Arif, former Minister of Veterans and current Member of the European Parliament
• Bariza Khiari, Member of the French Senate (Socialist Party)
• Myriam El Khomri, Minister of Labor (Socialist Party)
• Rachida Dati, Member of the European Parliament, Mayor of the 7th arrondissement of Paris and former Minister of Justice (Union for a Popular Movement)

Writers

• Tahar Ben Jelloun, Prix Goncourt laureate

Media

• Karim Rissouli, TV presenter of political show C politique
• Cyril Hannouna, talk show host and television personality

Entertainment

Fashion

• Hedi Slimane, former head designer of Yves Saint-Laurent Cinema
• Tahar Rahim, actor
• Dany Boon, actor, comedian, and filmmaker
• Hafsia Herzi, actress
• Abdellatif Kechiche, filmmaker, actor and screenwriter; Palme d'Or laureate
• Roschdy Zem, award-winning actor
• Leïla Bekhti, actress
• Ismaël Ferroukhi, film director
• Kad Merad, award-winning actor, comedian, and film director
• Rachid Bouchareb, film director
• Nabil Ayouch, film director and producer
• Sabrina Ouazani, actress
• Jamel Debbouze, actor, comedian, film director
• Yasmine Belmadi, actor
• Ramzy Bedia, actor
• Salim Kéchiouche, actor
• Rayane Bensetti, actor
• Kays Benouadah, actor LGBTQ+ defender Music
• L'Algerino
• DJ Mehdi
• Nej'
• Cheb Khaled
• Wallen
• Amel Bent
• Amina Annabi
• Indila
• Najoua Belyzel
• Kayna Samet
• Lââm
• Chico Bouchikhi
• Rachid Taha
• Faudel
• DJ Abdel
• Freeman
• Rim'K
• Mister You
• Niro
• Tunisiano
• Ali
• Médine
• La Fouine
• Nessbeal
• Lacrim
• Kamelanc'
• Sinik

Sports

• Adil Rami, football player for AC Milan
• Amine Adli
• Amine Harit
• Chaouki Ben Saada
• Samir Nasri, football player for Manchester City
• Mehdi Benatia, football player for Bayern Munich
• Hatem Ben Arfa, football player for Newcastle United
• Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad, middle-distance runner
• Bouabdellah Tahri, middle-distance and long-distance runner
• Féthi Harek
• Habib Bellaïd
• Himad Abdelli
• Houssem Aouar
• Idriss Saadi
• Ismaël Bennacer
• Ismaël Gharbi
• Kays Ruiz-Atil
• Kevin Malcuit
• Matteo Guendouzi
• Mounir Chouiar
• Noah Fatar
• Ousmane Dembélé
• Rayan Aït-Nouri
• Samir Hadji
• Samir Malcuit
• Younes Belhanda
• Zinedine Zidane, football player on the France National Team
• Jawed Kalai
• Karim Benzema, football player on the France National Team
• Karim Soltani
• Karim Ziani
• Kylian Mbappe
• Ryad Boudebouz
• Wahbi Khazri
• Yacine Adli
• Yassine Jebbour
• Yohan Benalouane
• Younes Kaboul
• Kaylia Nemour, Olympic gymnast
• Samir Aït Saïd, Olympic gymnast

Levantine

Many notable French people are of Levantine ancestry.

Politics

• Éric Besson, politician
• Élie Aboud, Member of the National Assembly (Union for a Popular Movement)
• Henri Jibrayel, Member of the National Assembly (Socialist Party)
• Antoine Karam, French Guiana's representative in the French Senate (Socialist Party)
• Serge Ayoub

Business

• Carlos Ghosn
• Mohed Altrad
• Mansour Ojjeh
• Jacques Saadé
• Michel Chalhoub
• Édouard de Rothschild

Scientists

• André Choulika
• Eid Hourany

Journalism

• Antoine Sfeir
• Léa Salamé, journalist and political commentator

Architecture

• Nabil Gholam

Writers

• Joyce Mansour, surrealist poet
• Andrée Chedid, novelist; Prix Goncourt laureate
• Amin Maalouf
• Gilbert Achcar

Entertainment

Cinema

• Philippe Aractingi

• Thomas Langmann

• Jean-Pierre Rassam

• Julien Rassam Music

• Matthieu Chedid

• RAmez

• Abdel Rahman El Bacha

• Ibrahim Maalouf

• Louis Chedid

• Guy Béart Fashion

• Reem Acra

Sports

• Ali Hallab
• Billel Omrani
• Rayan Helal
• William Saliba

References

References

1. Immigrés et descendants d'immigrés, édition 2023, Insee https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/6793391
2. "The Paradox of Arab France".
3. [https://www.economist.com/europe/2009/03/26/to-count-or-not-to-count France's ethnic minorities: To count or not to count]. The Economist (2009-03-26). Retrieved on 2013-07-12.
4. Moss, Hilary. (2016-04-01). "10 Highlights from Hedi Slimane's Saint Laurent". The New York Times.