France faces rising poverty despite growing national wealth

France is experiencing a socioeconomic paradox where national wealth and median living standards are rising, yet poverty levels remain at their highest since 1996. According to Insee data for 2024, approximately 9.8 million people in metropolitan France live below the poverty threshold, which is set at 1,337 euros per month for a single person. This includes 15.4% of the total population and 22.4% of children.

Economists highlight that the erosion of purchasing power is driven by low wages, job instability, and the decline of non-capital incomes such as pensions and unemployment benefits. Labor shortages in certain sectors are attributed to inadequate compensation and working conditions. Experts suggest that addressing these issues requires a structural shift in corporate management, moving away from minimizing labor costs toward investing in human capital, qualifications, and productive efficiency to ensure long-term economic stability.