In France, on 1st January 2010 more than 1 million citizens had already stipulated a civil union, against 743 thousand at the beginning of 2009. Although the number of “Pacs” has registered a steady increase since their legalization (1999), it remains lower than the number of marriages: in 2010 the ratio was 3 to 4. What is the identikit of people that prefer stipulating a civil union rather than a traditional marriage? According to the latest Insee report, basically French couples (96%) with a high study level belonging to the well-off. In addition, they are generally heterosexual partners without children. Indeed, contrary to what one may think, only 6% of civil unions involve homosexual couples.
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