French MPs debate bill on ‘aging well’ as more people live past 85

By 2030 the number of people over 85 will outnumber the under 15s. It's a major challenge the draft bill on "aging well" fails to address its detractors say. © RFI/Jan van der Made

France's parliament is debating a bill aimed at adapting society to the growing number of people over 85. But opposition MPs and professionals working with older people say the mini-measures are a far cry from President Emmanuel Macron’s earlier ambitions.

France has around 2 million people aged over 85. By 2030 there will be 4.8 million – outnumbering the under 15s.