Standards of living in 2012

In 2012, in Metropolitan France, the median standard of living was 19,740 euros a year, a drop of 1% in constant euros from 2011. The entire scale of living standards is on a downward curve but is less marked at the top and bottom of the scale. The 10% of the poorest people live on less than 10,610 euros. The 10% of the wealthiest people have at least 37,430 euros, i.e. 3.5 times more. The poverty line, set by convention at 60% of the median standard of living, stands at 987 euros a month. When measured in reference to that threshold, poverty is declining and returning to a level close to that of 2010. At the same time, the severity of poverty is increasing: the standard of living of the poor is relatively further from the poverty line. Poverty is increasing among single parent families. Their earnings are falling in a situation where there is little increase in social benefits. In contrast, the relative situation of retirees is improving.