Wealth inequality rises in Japan as French workers face financial strain

In Japan, household wealth inequality has widened between 2019 and 2024. According to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Gini coefficient for financial assets—including bank deposits, savings, stocks, and investment trusts—rose from 0.664 in 2019 to 0.678 in 2024. This increase suggests that rising stock prices, including the Nikkei 225 reaching record highs, have disproportionately benefited wealthy individuals who hold more financial assets.

In France, a study by IFOP for the HR platform Deel indicates significant financial strain among employees. Approximately 83% of French workers report experiencing budgetary difficulties, at least occasionally, by the end of the month. Nearly half of the surveyed employees admitted to being in overdraft at least once in the past year, with 16% experiencing it more than six times. This financial precariousness comes ahead of new European regulations set for November 2026, which will tighten rules on bank overdrafts and installment payments to combat over-indebtedness.