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An argument often put forward regarding the positive effects of immigration for host countries is that the entry of immigrants would have positive effects on demand and therefore on growth. This paper aims to measure the contribution of immigrants to total consumption in France over the period 1979-2011, and to estimate the differences in consumption behaviors between them and non-immigrants. The results of the accounting analysis show that in all age groups, an immigrant consumes on average less than a non-immigrant. However, the share of immigrants’ demand in total demand is proportional to their percentage of the total population. We show that the age structure of the immigrant population (over-represented in the working age group where consumption is at its maximum level) offsets the difference between the individual and aggregate levels. The analysis of consumption differences shows that immigrants consume, all else being equal, 10.7 % less than non-immigrants. This difference is, however, mainly explained by observable individual characteristics. JEL Classification: E21, F22, D10