France's Poverty Rate Reaches 30-Year High, Affecting 10 Million People

Record Poverty Levels in France

• 📈 France has reached a 30-year high in its poverty rate, with 9.8 million people living below the monetary poverty threshold in 2023.
• 📌 This represents 15.4% of the French population, the highest figure since INSEE began tracking poverty in 1996.
• ⚠️ In a single year, 650,000 additional people have fallen into poverty.

Defining the Poverty Threshold

• 💰 The monetary poverty threshold in France is set at €1,288 per person per month, equivalent to 60% of the median income.
• 📉 For those living in poverty, half have a standard of living below €1,041 per month, which is 19.2% below the poverty threshold.

Causes of Increased Poverty

• ⚡ The rise in poverty is attributed to the end of exceptional government assistance, such as the inflation allowance and back-to-school bonus introduced in 2022.
• 📊 An increase in the proportion of micro-entrepreneurs with low incomes among non-salaried workers is also cited as a contributing factor.

Social Impact and Calls for Action

• 🏠 The Foundation for Housing the Disadvantaged reports a skyrocketing number of electricity and gas cut-offs for unpaid bills and a rise in rental evictions.
• 💬 There is a concerning trend of political inaction, with calls for structural measures rather than one-off solutions.
• 🎯 The prime minister has pledged a 10-year plan to address and reduce poverty rates.