World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Secours Catholique says extreme poverty is worsening in France
Secours Catholique says extreme poverty is worsening in France in its 2026 annual report.
About 10 million people, or 15.4% of the population, live below the poverty line.
Among people the charity helped, 30% had no income, and the median monthly income was €568.
Rising prices and higher costs are making it harder to cover basic needs, the charity says.
Some people go without heating, fuel or enough food, while others seek help paying bills or getting food.
The charity says poverty affects people in different ways, including workers who cannot make ends meet and people facing health problems or isolation.
Secours Catholique says extreme poverty in France is becoming more intense and severe in its 2026 annual report.
The association says 30% of the people it assists have no resources, and their median monthly income is €568.
It says 75% of the people it assisted in 2025 were below the extreme-poverty threshold of €899 a month.
In France, 10 million people, or 15.4% of the population, live below the poverty line, according to the report.
The association says rising prices and costs, alongside declining purchasing power, contribute to poverty and leave people unable to afford essentials.
- Who
- Secours Catholique, a French charity, and people it assists.
- What
- The charity says extreme poverty in France is worsening and describes deprivation among people it helps.
- When
- The report was published on 12 November 2026.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- The charity points to rising prices and expenses, declining purchasing power, and difficulties making ends meet.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Louise stopped working because of back pain, according to her account.
Secours Catholique assisted one million people, 56% of them women, according to its report.
Secours Catholique published its annual report on poverty.
- People below poverty line in France
- 10 million, or 15.4% of the population
- People assisted by Secours Catholique in 2025
- 1 million
- People assisted below the extreme-poverty threshold
- 75%
- Extreme-poverty threshold
- €899 per month
- People assisted with no resources
- 30%
2 sources
What people are saying
Extreme poverty is intensifying, becoming more severe
At Secours Catholique, 30% of people have no resources, and the median income is €568 a month
Being poor, on the RSA, is not taking advantage of the system; it is living with stress
Some people are born under a lucky star, but there were no stars at all