In 2021, the poverty rate in France reached 14.5 percent. In recent years, poverty in France has been increasing, affecting both unemployed and working people. In fact, according to Insee, 9.2 percent of economically active persons had a living standard inferior to the poverty rate in 2021.

The increase of poverty in France

Poverty in France reached its highest rate in 2018. That year, almost 15 percent of the French population was living below the poverty line, which means that their income was less than 60 percent of the median income in the country. Despite a significant decrease between 2000 and 2004, when the rate went from 13.6 down to 12.6 percent, poverty has been rising in France in recent years. Studies have shown that the number of poor people increased in France, reaching approximately 9.3 million individuals in 2020, while 11,779 thousand people were at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

Poverty affecting youth and middle classes

Poverty seems to affect mainly younger generations. In 2016, 12.5 percent of French aged between 18 and 29 years old were considered poor. In comparison, only 2.2 percent of French aged 65 and 74 years old were in the same situation. Youth unemployment in France, one of the highest in Europe, might explain this phenomenon. However, the middle class is not spared from the rise of poverty either. In 2017, 52.4 percent of French middle-income households were having difficulties to make ends meet.

In 2022, there were around 9.1 million poor French people. The increase in the poverty rate in Western countries has been a rampant issue since 2000. Since that year, France has seen its poverty rate slowly but steadily growing. One of the main aspects of poverty in France was its impact on the youngest and the oldest generations. Thus, one out of five French people aged younger than 18 years were living below the poverty line in 2022.

France - At Risk of Poverty rate was 15.40% in December of 2023, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for France - At Risk of Poverty rate - last updated from the EUROSTAT on March of 2025. Historically, France - At Risk of Poverty rate reached a record high of 15.60% in December of 2022 and a record low of 12.50% in December of 2008.

According to a survey conducted in May 2024, in France, the subjective poverty line was 1,396 euros. This minimum income, decided by the French population, under which a single person was considered poor, increased by 19 euros compared to the previous year. Moreover, during the given period, the subjective poverty line increased in total by 390 euros.

This statistic shows the poverty rate in France in 2022, by age group. In 2022, 11.4 percent of French people older than 75 years old were considered poor.

35 to 44 years Poverty Rate Statistics for 2022. This is part of a larger dataset covering poverty in French Settlement, Louisiana by age, education, race, gender, work experience and more.

France - Persistent-at Risk of Poverty rate: From 50 to 64 years was 6.30% in December of 2023, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for France - Persistent-at Risk of Poverty rate: From 50 to 64 years - last updated from the EUROSTAT on March of 2025. Historically, France - Persistent-at Risk of Poverty rate: From 50 to 64 years reached a record high of 8.80% in December of 2021 and a record low of 5.50% in December of 2012.

France - At Risk of Poverty rate: Population was 13.70% in December of 2023, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for France - At Risk of Poverty rate: Population - last updated from the EUROSTAT on March of 2025. Historically, France - At Risk of Poverty rate: Population reached a record high of 13.80% in December of 2022 and a record low of 11.50% in December of 2018.

France FR: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: Male: % of male population data was reported at 18.200 % in 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 17.700 % for 2020. France FR: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: Male: % of male population data is updated yearly, averaging 17.400 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2021, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18.600 % in 2011 and a record low of 16.500 % in 2017. France FR: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: Male: % of male population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s France – Table FR.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. ;Government statistical agencies. Data for EU countires are from the EUROSTAT;;

France - People at Risk of Poverty or social exclusion was 1.40% in December of 2023, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for France - People at Risk of Poverty or social exclusion - last updated from the EUROSTAT on March of 2025. Historically, France - People at Risk of Poverty or social exclusion reached a record high of 1.90% in December of 2022 and a record low of -1.10% in December of 2013.

France FR: Poverty Gap at $1.90 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data was reported at 0.000 % in 2015. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 % for 2014. France FR: Poverty Gap at $1.90 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data is updated yearly, averaging 0.000 % from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2015, with 13 observations. France FR: Poverty Gap at $1.90 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s France – Table FR.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Poverty gap at $1.90 a day (2011 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $1.90 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. The aggregated numbers for low- and middle-income countries correspond to the totals of 6 regions in PovcalNet, which include low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia). See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

In 2022, in France, 15.1 percent of the total female population lived under the poverty line. On the other hand, 13.8 percent of the male population was also considered poor. A relatively important gap difference of more than one percentage point, when compared to 1996 when the poverty rate was the same for men and women.

In 2008, the French considered a single person with a net monthly income of less than 1,006 euros to be poor. This figure has fluctuated since then, but has never been as high as in 2022, when single people earning less than 1.263 euros per month were considered poor. The value of the monthly gross minimum wage in France was around 1,554 euros in the second half of 2021.

Contains data from the World Bank's data portal. There is also a consolidated country dataset on HDX.

For countries with an active poverty monitoring program, the World Bank—in collaboration with national institutions, other development agencies, and civil society—regularly conducts analytical work to assess the extent and causes of poverty and inequality, examine the impact of growth and public policy, and review household survey data and measurement methods. Data here includes poverty and inequality measures generated from analytical reports, from national poverty monitoring programs, and from the World Bank’s Development Research Group which has been producing internationally comparable and global poverty estimates and lines since 1990.

France FR: Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % of Population data was reported at 0.200 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.000 % for 2014. France FR: Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 0.000 % from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2015, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.200 % in 2015 and a record low of 0.000 % in 2014. France FR: Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s France – Table FR.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Poverty headcount ratio at $3.20 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $3.20 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. The aggregated numbers for low- and middle-income countries correspond to the totals of 6 regions in PovcalNet, which include low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia). See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

France - At Risk of Poverty rate for pensioners was 11.70% in December of 2023, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for France - At Risk of Poverty rate for pensioners - last updated from the EUROSTAT on March of 2025. Historically, France - At Risk of Poverty rate for pensioners reached a record high of 11.70% in December of 2023 and a record low of 7.00% in December of 2016.

France - At Risk of Poverty rate of households without dependent children: Low work intensity (0.2-0.45) was 22.30% in December of 2020, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for France - At Risk of Poverty rate of households without dependent children: Low work intensity (0.2-0.45) - last updated from the EUROSTAT on February of 2025. Historically, France - At Risk of Poverty rate of households without dependent children: Low work intensity (0.2-0.45) reached a record high of 36.00% in December of 2016 and a record low of 19.80% in December of 2014.

France FR: Survey Mean Consumption or Income per Capita: Bottom 40% of Population: Annualized Average Growth Rate data was reported at 0.740 % in 2015. France FR: Survey Mean Consumption or Income per Capita: Bottom 40% of Population: Annualized Average Growth Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 0.740 % from Dec 2015 (Median) to 2015, with 1 observations. France FR: Survey Mean Consumption or Income per Capita: Bottom 40% of Population: Annualized Average Growth Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s France – Table FR.World Bank: Poverty. The growth rate in the welfare aggregate of the bottom 40% is computed as the annualized average growth rate in per capita real consumption or income of the bottom 40% of the population in the income distribution in a country from household surveys over a roughly 5-year period. Mean per capita real consumption or income is measured at 2011 Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) using the PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet). For some countries means are not reported due to grouped and/or confidential data. The annualized growth rate is computed as (Mean in final year/Mean in initial year)^(1/(Final year - Initial year)) - 1. The reference year is the year in which the underlying household survey data was collected. In cases for which the data collection period bridged two calendar years, the first year in which data were collected is reported. The initial year refers to the nearest survey collected 5 years before the most recent survey available, only surveys collected between 3 and 7 years before the most recent survey are considered. The final year refers to the most recent survey available between 2011 and 2015. Growth rates for Iraq are based on survey means of 2005 PPP$. The coverage and quality of the 2011 PPP price data for Iraq and most other North African and Middle Eastern countries were hindered by the exceptional period of instability they faced at the time of the 2011 exercise of the International Comparison Program. See PovcalNet for detailed explanations.; ; World Bank, Global Database of Shared Prosperity (GDSP) circa 2010-2015 (http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/brief/global-database-of-shared-prosperity).; ; The comparability of welfare aggregates (consumption or income) for the chosen years T0 and T1 is assessed for every country. If comparability across the two surveys is a major concern for a country, the selection criteria are re-applied to select the next best survey year(s). Annualized growth rates are calculated between the survey years, using a compound growth formula. The survey years defining the period for which growth rates are calculated and the type of welfare aggregate used to calculate the growth rates are noted in the footnotes.

France FR: Gini Coefficient (GINI Index): World Bank Estimate data was reported at 32.700 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 32.300 % for 2014. France FR: Gini Coefficient (GINI Index): World Bank Estimate data is updated yearly, averaging 32.500 % from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2015, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 33.700 % in 2010 and a record low of 29.700 % in 2006. France FR: Gini Coefficient (GINI Index): World Bank Estimate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s France – Table FR.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Gini index measures the extent to which the distribution of income (or, in some cases, consumption expenditure) among individuals or households within an economy deviates from a perfectly equal distribution. A Lorenz curve plots the cumulative percentages of total income received against the cumulative number of recipients, starting with the poorest individual or household. The Gini index measures the area between the Lorenz curve and a hypothetical line of absolute equality, expressed as a percentage of the maximum area under the line. Thus a Gini index of 0 represents perfect equality, while an index of 100 implies perfect inequality.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

France - At Risk of Poverty rate of older people: Less than 65 years was 16.20% in December of 2023, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for France - At Risk of Poverty rate of older people: Less than 65 years - last updated from the EUROSTAT on March of 2025. Historically, France - At Risk of Poverty rate of older people: Less than 65 years reached a record high of 16.40% in December of 2022 and a record low of 14.10% in December of 2010.