Income Levels: Differentiate Rich from Poor
Take a Peek at Your Place on France's Wealth LadderBy Emily Williams, Contributing Journalist for the Employment section, focusing on labor law, careers, and worker compensation | Published on June 6, 2025
© Rawpixel / Freepik Ever wondered if you make the cut as one of the "rich" in France? The latest report from the Inequality Observatory offers some insight. Released Tuesday, June 3, this comprehensive study provides a breakdown of income by household type, letting you peer into your financial standing in France.
First things first: the median disposable income sets the benchmark. In 2023, it amounted to €2,183 per month for a single person, after taxes and social security contributions. Half of the French population earns less, while the other half pulls in more. The Inequality Observatory divides the population into two segments based on these figures. The poverty line, which is 50% of the median income (€1,014 per month for a single person), and the wealth line, which equals double the median income (€4,056 per month for a single person).
Be cautious when focusing solely on the wealth line, as it might not present a clear picture, particularly if you have a family. The Inequality Observatory highlights that your earnings class depends on your family composition. This is where the fiscal parts system comes into play, adjusting income based on the number of individuals in a household. An adult accounts for one whole part, while the second earns half a part. Children aged 14 and above score half a part, while kids under that age receive 0.3 part.
A Wealth Line of €4,056 per month for a single person
A single person falls into the poverty bracket if their earnings are below €1,014 per month. Between €1,608 and €2,941 per month, you're part of the middle class. A net income of more than €2,941 puts you in the comfortable household category. If your earnings exceed €4,056 after taxes and social security contributions: congratulations, you're among the most comfortable French households.
For a couple without children, the poverty line stands at €1,521 per month. The middle class encompasses couples with net monthly income ranging from €2,413 to €4,411. To join the wealthy club, a couple must earn more than €6,083 per month.
The Wealth Breakdown for Families with Kids
Naturally, the thresholds for families with children are higher. A couple with two adolescents over 14 is considered poor if they make less than €2,534 per month, a member of the middle class if their income ranges between €4,021 and €7,352 per month, and rich if they bring home at least €10,138 per month.
Compare your salary to the average French income.
Browse through these topics:- Salary- Purchasing Power- Poverty
Enrichment Data:In France, although the income tax system lacks distinct wealth categories based on family composition and fiscal parts, it indirectly accounts for these factors through its income tax brackets and the fiscal parts system. Here's a summary:
Income Tax Rates
The French income tax system, for 2025, ranges from 0% to 45%, depending on income and household composition. With more dependents or fiscal parts, your taxable income is spread across them, possibly lowering the effective tax rate[4].
Fiscal Parts (Fiscal Units)
The French tax system uses the concept of fiscal parts to account for family composition. Each household member represents a certain number of parts, with the head of the household typically considered one part, and other family members contributing additional parts (e.g., children equate to 0.5 parts[4]). This system influences the overall tax rate.
Wealth Categories and Taxes
Though there are no specific wealth categories based on income and family composition, France has wealth-related taxes such as:- Impôt sur la Fortune Immobilière (IFI): A wealth tax on real estate assets above €1.3 million, affecting both residents (worldwide real estate) and non-residents (only French real estate)[2][3][4].- Additional Taxes for High Earners: Additional taxes for incomes beyond €250,000 for singles and €500,000 for couples, with rates of 3% on income above the threshold and 4% on income exceeding €500,000 or €1 million for couples[1].
A Brief Summary
In summary, although there are no specific wealth categories determined by income and family composition, the French tax system incorporates these factors through its income tax brackets and taxes like the IFI.
- Understanding your personal-finance standing in France involves comparing your salary to the median income, which was €2,183 per month for a single person in 2023.
- In terms of wealth categories, a single person earning more than €4,056 per month falls into the most comfortable household category, while a couple with two adolescents over 14 must earn at least €10,138 per month to be considered wealthy in France. The French tax system, though not directly categorizing wealth based on family composition, uses fiscal parts to account for it through its income tax brackets and wealth-related taxes like the Impôt sur la Fortune Immobilière (IFI).
