The annual statistical report of the Secours Catholique – Caritas France on poverty in France was released on November 12th. This 2020 edition was co-written by Jean-Noël Senne (RITM, Université Paris Saclay), Camille Saint-Macary (IRD) and Pascale Novelli (Secours Catholique), and commented on by Thomas Piketty. Using large sample data collected all over the country before the outburst of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s report raises the alarm about the severe economic and social consequences that the health crisis could have on the most vulnerable populations.
The detailed analysis of more than 3,000 budget statements shows that after deducting incompressible expenses such as housing, water or energy, half of poor households have less than 9 euros per day and per person (and one quarter less than 4 euros) to eat, dress or for leisure. 40% of these households fail to cover their daily food expenses and therefore face impossible trade-offs or accumulating unpaid bills and debts. Not to mention that almost a quarter of these households, and mostly foreign households, have no financial resources. These figures highlight the extreme vulnerability of poor households to economic shocks such as the current pandemic and call for the establishment of a guaranteed minimum income for all.
Watch a video summary of the report : [here]
Watch Thomas Piketty’s interview : [here]
Read the full report : [here]
Press coverage : Le Monde [link], France Inter [link], France Info [Link], Le Parisien [Link], Le Figaro [Link], Libération [Link], Le Point [link], France 2 [ink], BFMTV [link]