Poll Finds Half of Young French Men Embrace Nationalist Identity as Pride Remains Widespread

A new French survey shows strong national pride across generations, with sharp gender differences among younger respondents on views of national superiority.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

National pride remains deeply rooted in France, according to a new survey that found nearly eight in ten respondents say they are proud to be French, even as views on nationalism differ sharply by age and gender.

The poll, conducted by Destin Commun, found that 78 percent of respondents expressed pride in being French, a level that the polling group said was consistent across generations and political affiliations. “This pride is consistent across all generations and overwhelmingly supported by all electorates,” the pollster noted.

The findings stand in contrast to trends observed in other Western countries. In Britain, for example, surveys have shown that national pride among young people has declined sharply in recent years.

Destin Commun drew a distinction between national pride and nationalism, defining nationalism narrowly as the belief that “the French are better than other nationalities,” rather than simply valuing one’s own country or prioritizing its interests. Under that definition, only 32 percent of respondents agreed that the French are superior to other peoples. By contrast, 68 percent said they were proud to be French while rejecting the idea that France or its people are inherently better than others.

The survey revealed a notable generational and gender divide. Among young men aged 18 to 24, 50 percent agreed with the statement that France is superior to other countries. Among women in the same age group, only 31 percent shared that view.

A visualization of the results circulating on social media, including a post shared online, highlighted the contrast between overall national pride and narrower nationalist sentiment.

When asked what makes them proud of France, respondents most frequently cited historical heritage, gastronomy, language, the arts and regional traditions, with roughly nine in ten selecting those factors. More than seven in ten also pointed to scientific innovation, the welfare state and individual freedoms as sources of pride.

The findings come amid broader debates in France over national identity and cultural movements originating in other Western countries. Following the death of George Floyd in the United States and the global protests that followed, French President Emmanuel Macron publicly rejected aspects of the “woke” movement, saying in 2021, “The ‘woke’ culture is something very dangerous, and we shouldn’t bring it to France.”

Macron also opposed calls to remove historical monuments during the Black Lives Matter protests, declaring in 2020 that “the Republic will not erase any trace, or any name, from its history… it will not take down any statue.”

Commenting on the survey results, Destin Commun director Laurence de Nervaux said the data point to a gap between public discourse and everyday sentiment. “Our survey reveals the contrast between the collectively negative perception of our country and the deep and enthusiastic attachment of our fellow citizens to France and everything they share on a daily basis,” de Nervaux said. “Far from the clichés about fractures and divisions, it reveals a meaningful, sub-political reality steeped in human connections.”