Most 'average French people' consider their financial situation difficult, but are still satisfied with life for now
As RFI notes, in determining who can be considered 'average French people', Insee researchers started from the average income in the country – 1,680 euros per month 'net' (i.e., after taxes and social contributions). 'Average' included all French people earning within a range of plus or minus 10% of this amount, i.e., from 1,510 to 1,850 euros per month.
As a result, the 'average French' group included 11 million 600 thousand people (18.7% of working-age French people), and it is one of five conditional groups by income level.
In addition to this group, sociologists also identify 'poor' (with income below 60% of the average salary in the country), 'people with modest income' (up to 90% of the average salary), 'rather affluent' (from 110%), and 'affluent' (from 180% and above).
French people with average incomes have a level of education that is most often below the national average. One in four completed only secondary school, another 28% have secondary vocational education, and only 21% have higher education (compare with the national average: 43% of French people have higher education).
Perhaps that is why almost two-thirds of 'average French people' are workers (28.6%) and employees (34.6%). More workers and employees are only in the 'people with modest incomes' category (70%). Interestingly, among the poor, there are fewer 'workers and employees' – 57%.
The vast majority (81.3%) of 'average French people' have a permanent employment contract – which in France is a huge advantage, as it is extremely difficult to fire such a person. And another 4% manage to have an average income without working anywhere.
Almost two-thirds of 'average French people' (62%) own real estate. The average area of real estate is 90 sq. m, the average cost is 190,000 euros. For comparison, nationally, 57% of citizens are homeowners.
Two-thirds of 'average French people', nevertheless, call their financial situation 'difficult'. 18% say they 'barely' make it to payday, or even fail to get by without going into debt. Another 48% say that by the end of the month they 'break even', but are forced to 'carefully monitor' spending to avoid accidentally going into the red.
Most often, 'average French people' fear sliding into one of the lower social categories and not being able to secure a decent old age. At the same time, 73% are still satisfied with their present.