Registration: Which Departments Are in the Highest Demand?
This page is translated from the original post "Immatriculation : quels sont les départements les plus demandés ?" in French.

According to a study conducted by Eplaque.fr, Corsica remains the most popular region among the French when choosing a department number.
The Parisian still feels uncomfortable when traveling in regions. And Corsica continues to inspire fear. The cliché is persistent, but the numbers rarely lie.
From a sample of 50,000 license plates produced in 2023, the specialized site Eplaque.fr was able to create a ranking of the most requested departmental codes in France… and the least popular ones.
Which departments are favored?
In order to account for the demographic size of each department, Eplaque.fr compared the department’s ranking in its top sales (from 1 to 101) with its ranking based on population density (e.g., the most populated department in France is 59, so it will be ranked 1). This comparison reveals departments that are overrepresented and underrepresented in sales.
Top 5 most favored departments among the French
Department | Department sales ranking | Department ranking by population density |
2A (Southern Corsica) | 5th | 95th |
2B (Northern Corsica) | 8th | 90th |
73 (Savoie) | 25th | 55th |
9 (Ariège) | 67th | 96th |
74 (Haute-Savoie) | 2nd | 26th |
This year again, it turns out that the favored departments are those in Corsica – Corse-du-Sud (2A) and Haute-Corse (2B)! Savoie (73) is in third place.
Top 5 least liked departments among the French
Least liked departments | Department sales ranking | Department ranking by population density |
42 (Loire) | 77th | 30th |
2 (Aisne) | 80th | 52nd |
93 (Seine-Saint-Denis) | 33rd | 6th |
62 (Pas-de-Calais) | 36th | 11th |
80 (Somme) | 71st | 46th |
There are departments where the feeling of belonging is less strong and tourism is quite low, such as Loire (42) or Seine-Saint-Denis (93).
Top 5 most sold departments
Most sold departments | Department sales ranking | Department ranking by population density |
06 (Alpes-Maritimes) | 1st | 21st |
74 (Haute-Savoie) | 2nd | 26th |
13 (Bouches-du-Rhône) | 3rd | 3rd |
75 (Paris) | 4th | 2nd |
2A (Southern Corsica) | 5th | 95th |
This highlights departments with high population density that strongly resonate with their residents, especially in the south (Alpes-Maritimes, Bouches-du-Rhône, Paris). Notably, department 74 ranks second, which may seem surprising. The combination of several factors could explain this enthusiasm: high population density, significant tourism with travel primarily by car, and strong local attachment.
Top 5 least sold favorite departments
Least sold favorite departments | Department sales ranking | Population ranking |
48 (Lozère) | 101st | 101st |
52 (Haute-Marne) | 100th | 93rd |
90 (Territoire-de-Belfort) | 99th | 99th |
36 (Indre) | 98th | 87th |
53 (Mayenne) | 97th | 75th |
Logically, these are the least populated departments in France, which generate the least enthusiasm.
ALSO READ: The Tesla Model 3 Highland finally sold in the United States
We also suggestthese articles:
Also read


