The standards of livings rose slightly in 2017, and inequalities were almost steady

In 2017, in metropolitan France, the median standard of living was €20,820 per year, 0.4% higher than in 2016 in constant euros. It has been increasing at a moderate pace for the past four years, after having decreased following the 2008 economic crisis. The poorest 10% have a living standard below €11,190. The most affluent 10% have a living standard at least 3.4 times higher, above €38,210.

In 2017, working households benefited from improved labour market conditions: living standards before redistribution rose slightly, except for lowest-income households. The latter nevertheless benefited from the increase in the working bonus.

Overall, living standards increased slightly for the entire distribution. Inequalities in living standards were almost stable: the Gini index was 0.289 in 2017, after 0.288 in 2016.

In 2017, 8.9 million people were living below the monetary poverty line, which was €1,041 per month. The poverty rate has varied slightly over the past four years: it stood at 14.1% of the population in 2017. Poverty gap was almost stable, at 19.6%.

Poverty remained closely linked to activity status. In 2017, 37.6% of the unemployed lived below the poverty line, compared to 7.1% of wage earners; this gap narrowed slightly.