Poverty increased in France by 1.4M over 2 decades: Report

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – The number of people living in poverty in France has increased by 1.4 million over the last two decades, with young people being hit harder than older people, according to the latest report.

The poverty rate in France was 8.1% in 2022, up from 6.6% in 2002, as the number of poor people increased by 1.4 million in 20 years, according to the Inequality Observatory, an independent information center citing the country's statistical institute, Insee.

Young people between the ages of 18 and 29 are "clearly more affected" than others. Single people are affected twice as much as couples, said the observatory, which released its 2024-2025 poverty report in France on Tuesday.

According to the observatory's measurements, poverty means having €1,000 per month ($1,050) for a person living alone, €1,500 for a couple without children, and €2,500 for a family with two children over the age of 14.

A quarter of unemployed people live in poverty, compared to only 2.9% of salaried workers, the observatory report said.

"Poverty does not skyrocket but gains ground," the report added.