Two million over-60s live below the poverty line in France according to study
Those who live alone are the most affected
One of the key causes of poverty in old age is the low level of the Minimum vieillesse state benefit for older people, says the report
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Around two million over-60s live below the poverty line in France in 2024, with those who live alone most affected, according to a report by a charity for older people.
The annual report by the Petits Frères des Pauvres association, which supports older people affected by poverty, was published on September 30 to coincide with the International Day of Older Persons on October 1.
The association describes its findings “alarming”.
“The poverty rate for older people has been rising since 2015, and now stands at 11%, and up to 18% for older people living alone”, announced the Petits Frères des Pauvres.
In addition to finding that 2 million over-60s live on less than €1,216 a month, the report states that:
69% of poor elderly people have experienced at least one deprivation in the last twelve months in terms of social ties, heating, food or health.
37% of poor elderly people feel abandoned by society. The feeling of abandonment is stronger in rural areas.
More than one in two poor elderly people do not receive any help and feel ill informed (58%), however only 31% of them would like help to find out about their rights.
‘Benefits keeping people poor’
One of the key causes identified in the report is the low level of the Minimum vieillesse state benefit for older people, which stands at €1,012,02 - below the poverty line.
“The Minimum vieillesse is keeping its beneficiaries below the poverty line,” says the report, adding that such measures mean that French society risks becoming a “factory of poor old people”.
The 168-page report (available here) also identified significant regional differences in financial security and social well-being.
In broad terms, the poorest older-60s are found on the Mediterranean coast and in the north, with average poverty levels between 12.9% and 17.6%.
However, the single poorest department in mainland France is Seine-Saint-Denis, Ile-de-France, where more than 17.6% of over 60s live below the poverty line.
Poverty and social exclusion
In addition, the report found that feelings of social exclusion increase with poverty.
5% of over 60s living on less than €1,000 have no social relations whatsoever - a situation referred to as mort sociale or ‘social death’. This rate falls to less than 1% for over-60s living on €4,500 a month.
Likewise, 38% of over 60s living on less than €1,000 have no access to online support, compared to just 3% of those on €4,500 a month.
“Can we accept that the concerns of the elderly poor are focussed on their basic needs - housing and food?” writes Petits Frères des Pauvres, director Anne Géneau. “They have so many obstacles to achieving this and that they forgo care, entertainment, and social links.”
The report suggests six ways to improve the situation, namely:
Immediately raising the Minimum vieillesse benefit to the poverty line
Removing the practice of deducting ASPA (Allocation de Solidarité aux Personnes Agées) benefits from inheritance, which discourages people from claiming state help
Better training for France Services staff and town hall secretaries on how to deal with over 60s.
A ‘Marshall Plan’ to renovate independent living residences.
To include the right to holidays in policies to support older people.
Evaluating the effectiveness of policies designed to keep older people in work.
