Overview STATE OF POVERTY IN FRANCE Prejudices and social cohesion

Who still believes that the poor have a good life? 2017 STATISTICAL REPORT

secours-catholique.org Photo : Manu Fauque : Manu Photo

Based on Secours Catholique Caritas France 2016 service statistics 2 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 SERVICE STATISTICS - OVERVIEW c -Ibid. b -Ibid. catholique.org lapostrophe.secours- n° 2,summer2017. together, notebook Writing andthinking a -InL’Apostrophe. For thecomplete2017statistical reportofSecoursCatholique-Caritas France onthestate of ORiAL EDIT- T to me, on the ground. Look atmeasyouralter-ego.to me,ontheground. Lookatme,mybrother our encounters,eachofjointprojectsbearswitnesstothis.Everyone hastheirplace,asLauresays:“Sitthere,close be measuredfromthefirstglancerightthroughtoreviewofpublic policiesandtheirimpactonthepoorest.Eachof The fraternalrevolution is a revolution of love and justice. A huge source of joy and creativity, it comes tofruition and can that theyarepresentandrepresentedinpublicpolicymaking.There ismuchprogresstobemadeinthisarea. running of our society and to social cohesion. We can learn a lot from people living in poverty. In our view it is essential Excluding no one also means enabling everybody to contribute, through their activity and knowledge, to the smooth poverty isgrowingsignificantly. that coupleswithchildrenarealsoinavulnerablesituationandthenumberofforeignnationalslivingextreme are oftenalonewiththeirchildren,representaincreasingproportionofthepeopleencounteredbySecoursCatholique, million since the financial crisis of 2008, reaching 9 million people today. This 2017 report shows that women, who to Sustainable Development Goals.Thenumberofpeoplelivingbelowthepovertylinein Francehasincreasedbyone To excludenoone,wemustsetclearobjectivestoreducepovertyinallitsforms,linewithourcountry’s commitment the challenge?Willwemanagetostandtogether, torebuildrelationshipswhich donotexcludeanyone? The factsandanalysisarethere,sharedbyallthosewhomixwiththesepeople.Sothequestionarises:Areweupto This reportconcludesthecampaignand,supportingbystatistics,deconstructstheseprejudices. the theme“Whostillbelievesthatpoorhaveagoodlife?”,invitingeveryonetojoinreal#FraternalRevolution. cohesion. In this election year, Secours Catholique-Caritas France conducted a mobile campaign throughout France on shut themawayandseparatefromothers.Thisprocessistragicfortheindividualdevastatingsocial myself. To existsomewhere,despiteeverything,inanimpenetrablespace of violenceandleadstowithdrawal.Claudine,whohassuffered,expressesitthus:“Iwentonwithdraw, deepinto Solidarity begins with the perception of another. When this perception is hardened or judgemental, it is actually a form So, yes,prejudicesaroundtheunemployed,migrants,recipientsofaidetc.,weighequallyheavilyontheirshoulders, though wemayneedto,buttohaveatwowayrelationshipwithotherstakeholders the SecoursCatholiquegroupfromMaurepas: “What weseekissolidarity. Notsimplytodependupon it, even o livetogetherintrust,eachoneofusmustbeabletocontributesocietyandprotected.Inthewords poverty inFrance, visitwww.secours-catholique.org Complete report andregionalanalysis NATIONAL PRESIDENT Véronique FAYET, © É. Perriot / SCCF c .” b .” SECRETARY GENERAL Bernard Thibaud, © G. Kerbaol / SCCF a .” 1000 1 200 1 400 1 600 1 800 2 000 200 400 600 800 Nature OFARREARSIn2016 FOREIGNERS FRENCH 0 € € € € € € € € € € € OVERDRAFT W GAS, ELECTRICITY RENT ATER € € € 1 692 1 015 € UNEMPLOYMENT In2016 MONTHLY INCOME 548 HOUSING In2016

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19 67.9% CATHOLIQUE AT SECOURS 42.5% ENCOUNTERED In2016 MEDIAN STANDARD OFLIVINGAMONGPEOPLE POVERTY LINE2015 METROPOLITAN france2015 MEDIAN STANDARD OFLIVING 17.7% % 22.6% ARE WITHOUTINCOMEIN2016 OF PEOPLEENCOUNTERED STABLE HOUSING 48 % 87 % STABLE HOUSING 41.1% 52 % 13 % UNSTABLE HOUSING INSECURE HOUSING

IN FRANCE 10.1% 60% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 15-24 YRS TYPES OFHOUSEHOLDSENCOUNTEREDIN2016 8% Couple WITHCHILDREN SINGLE PARENT FAMILY 9% AGE OFPEOPLEENCOUNTEREDIn2016 PROPORTION OFFOREIGNNATIONALS 24% 2000 20% 29.6% 24.2% 25-34 YRS listening, 60.2% welcome advice, 32% 25% 2005 NEEDS EXPRESSED 29% 35-44 YRS 32% 56% food 24% 20 30% 45-54 YRS 10 PENDING STATUS UNDOCUMENTED 17% FRENCH 38.7% 19.2% Couple NOCHILDREN 6% 55-64 YRS and water bills 15% SINGLE MAN 23.1% rent, energy 18.5% 17.1% SINGLE WOMAN 39% 20 8% 16 65 ANSETPLU étrangers NATIONALS FOREIGN 5% 65 YRS+ 3% IN ORDER 42.1% en règl 42,1 % S e 3 3 Secours catholique-caritacatholique-caritas francefrance // 20162016 SERVICEservice STATISTICSSTATISTICS -- OVERVIEWOVERVIEW 4 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW fondation_CC For more information and newsupdates ontheFoundation, visit:www.credit-cooperatif.coop/fondation/ andon Twitter https://twitter.com/ well astheCorporateSponsorship Trophy fortheenvironmentandsustainabledevelopment. The commitmentoftheCréditCoopératif Foundation hasbeenrewardedby three Admicalprizes,the award ofMajorSponsorCultureas vital pieceofwork,whichisanticipated byallsocialstakeholders. investigation, conductedbythousands ofvolunteersontheground,throughoutFrance,providesanaccurate pictureofvulnerabilityinourcountry. Itisa Coopératif Foundationsupportstheproductionofastatisticalreportby SecoursCatholique-CaritasFranceontheconditionsofpoverty. Therigorous WITH THESUPPORTOFCRÉDITCOOPÉRATIF FOUNDATION the poorandsocialcohesion. France. This measure enabled us to reach out to the general public, and to engage on the theme of prejudice towards In spring2017,SecoursCatholique organised a roving event, withamobilepodium,whichstopped off in30towns To producethisreportbasedonourencountersin2016,85,165informationsheetswerecompletedandanalysedFrance. people encountered At SecoursCatholique-CaritasFrance,67,900volunteers,spreadbetweenalmost3,500teams,supportedthe1,438,000 definitions inthereport).. also usetheterms“welcomed/received”or“encountered”inwidersense:whenahouseholdisreceived /encountereditisthroughitsreferenceperson(see 1 -Thephrases“people/householdsseen,encountered”andencounteredby SecoursCatholique”willbeusedinterchangeably. We may of povertyinFrance.Thecompletereportcanbefoundatwww.secours-catholique.org. This documentisanoverviewofthe2017statisticalreportSecoursCatholique-CaritasFranceonstate They arepublishedontheSecoursCatholiquewebsite:www.secours-catholique.org. Finally, regionalanalysesevaluatetheevolutionanddefiningcharacteristicsofpovertyindifferentareasFrance. This overviewcomprisesthreeparts: included inthereport. and fieldobservationsbySecoursCatholique,examplesofactionsthathavebeenimplementedorproposed,are This approachis at theheartofSecoursCatholique’s 2017statistical report. In addition to statistical analyses, studies provided materialwithwhichtodeconstructprejudicesagainstvulnerablepeople. For severalyears,thefindingsfrominformationavailabletoSecoursCatholique,throughstatisticalrecords,have introduction 3. Contributionsfromresearchersandsocialcommentatorsgroupsofpeopleinvulnerablesituations. 2. Aspectsofdeconstructionprejudicestowardspoorpeople. 1. Analysisofsituationsencountered. One of its vocations is to improve social cohesion and to combat all forms of exclusion. With this in mind, every year, the Crédit open totheworldandinnovation. For over30years,theCréditCoopératifFoundationhasbeencommitted toaneconomyofsocialsolidaritywithoutborders, 1 in2016.Atotalof767,000adultsand671,000childrenhavebeensupportedthisway. © Gaël Kerbaol / SCCF their worksituationand,finally, theirvarioussourcesofincome andtheirexpenditurelinkedtohousing. financial situationcompared with that ofthepopulation asawhole livinginFrance andcomparedwiththe povertyline, It issupplementedbytheanalysisoflivingconditionsthese householdsandpeople:theirstandardofliving, demographic compositionbyage,sex,typeofhousehold,nationality andregion. by SecoursCatholiqueteamsduring2016:reasonswhypeoplecome totheassociation,needstheyexpress,their This firstsectionprimarilyprovidesadescriptionofthemaincharacteristicshouseholdsandpeopleencountered PRINTING: Wagram Éditions . PRODUCTION: Département Fadip -Communications Department. - Baudoin, designandartwork PROOFREADING-EDITING:IrsanedeScitivaux. LéaAmbroise,intern. ResearchforDevelopment(IRD)-Withtheassistance of Institute of research at the Instituteof Research forDevelopment (IRD) -Jean-NoëlSenne,lecturer in Economics at Paris Sud University - Paris Saclay, research associate at the STATISTICAL RESOURCESANDANALYSES: PascaleNovelli,departmentforstatisticalsurveysandanalysis -CamilleSaint-Macary, economist,responsiblefor ENCOUNTERED 1.ANALYSIS OFSITUATIONS PRINT RUN:8 000 copies. Sandrine Routier-Département Fadip -Communications Department. DESIGN: DESIGN: Véronique 5 5 Secours catholique-caritacatholique-caritas francefrance // 20162016 service STATISTICSSTATISTICS -- OVERVIEWOVERVIEW 6 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW organisations.. bank andcredit training (fees), loans, professional microcredit, personal accommodation, and holidays,finding job searches,leisure aids…), insurance, appliances orhearing glasses, orthodontic health (accesstocare, educational support, equipment, schoolor furniture, domestic following areas: may relatetothe 2 -Otherrequests Requests purely forfoodaremoreoftenfromFrench peoplethanforeignnationals, fromsinglemothersmorethan of unemploymentbenefit,withalesspoorstandardliving. The householdswhichdonotmakearequesttobeheardaremoreoftenthantheaverageinemploymentorreceipt irregular situationthisis61%. this typeofrequestareforeignnationals(42%against38.7%forallhouseholdsencountered),andthoseinan The requesttobeheardismorepredominantinmajorurbancentres.Morethanfouroutof10householdswhichmake encountered: sixoutof10them. Requests tobeheardaregenerallyincreasingovertime.Theythemostcommonlymaderequestsforallhouseholds ■ REQUESTS FOR LISTENINGINCREASING ■ PRIMARY NEEDS 14% in2016.Thischangecanbe linkedtothechangeinpolicyonaidbySecoursCatholique(see boxbelow). The proportionofpeoplewhoonly requestfoodaidhasdecreaseddramaticallyovertime,fallingfrom 24%in2002to in 2016)andtoincreaseamongst thosewhoareinanirregularsituation(47.7%2010and54.3% in2016). tendency forthesetodecreasein recentyearsamongstlegallyresidentforeignnationals(58.3% in2010and52.6% There is ahighlevel of requestsforfood aid regardless of thenationality person inquestion. There has beena ■ SIGNIFICANT REQUESTS FOR FOOD AID CONTINUE In 2016,58.9%ofFrenchhouseholdsencounteredexpressedtheirneedtobeheard. Analysis: 60.2%ofhouseholdsencounteredbySecoursCatholiquein2016expressedtheirneedtobeheard.Theymayhavemultipleneeds. Scope: HouseholdsencounteredbySecoursCatholique. Source: SecoursCatholique. FOREIGN NATIONALS, T Listening, advice,welcome Food Rent, energyandwaterbills Clothing Administrative Procedures Mobility (car, transport) Other able 1. who areexperiencingvulnerablesituations.Ingeneralterms,Secours Catholiquewishestoenablepeople The AGIVING EXPERIENCING VULNERABIITYPEOP VOICELE TO (sewing, cooking,chat)ortodefendtheirrights. other peopleandbuildrelationships;initiativeswithinprison;groupswhichmeetuptodoactivitiestogether Secours Catholiqueorganisesmanyactionstocombatthis“invisibility”:caféswhereyoucancomeforbreakfast,meet people orlivinginpoorhousingwhoareundocumented. or finally, because they belong to those sectors of society which never, orrarely, feature in statistics: homeless or ruralareaswhichareoftenpoorlyserved,notatallbypublictransport,milesfromanywhere, familiar withvulnerability. Thismaybeeitherduetoanabsenceofsocialties,orbecausetheyliveindistricts Being invisibleintheeyesofothers,society, thisistheexperienceofmostthosewhoare RECREATING SOCIAL SECOURS CATHOLIQUE-CARITAS FRANCE’S VISION adapted tomeetcitizens’realneeds. (CNLE). Itisimportantthatinstitutionsinvolvepeoplewiththis experiencesothattheirpoliciesarebetter have beeninvolvedinworkingwiththeNationalCouncilforPolicies tocombatPovertyandSocialexclusion regain their voice and their place in society. Thus, for the last three years, people with experience of vulnerability 2 L’Apostrophe review, whichwascreatedin2016bySecoursCatholique, is writtenwiththehelpofpeople TRENDS INREQUESTS (2010-2016)–REQUESTS IN2016B B Y STATUS TIES TO COMB 22.5% 56.9% 57.2% 13.7% 10.5% 2010 6.2% 3.6% All peopleencountered 21.5% 57.0% 55.2% 20.1% AT INVISIBILITY 2013 9.0% 6.3% 5.1% 21.5% 60.2% 56.0% 18.5% 10.2% 2016 7.6% 6.5% French 19.4% 58.9% 57.7% 24.4% 7.5% 2.3% 6.6% Y FRENCHPEOPLE AND nationals resident foreign Legally 28.5% 64.2% 52.6% 13.4% 11.6% 15.5% 2016 3.9% legal status nationals without Foreign 26.8% 73.8% 54.3% 18.8% 20.6% 2.6% 9.7% parent families) for whichthepercentagehasincreased from5%to9%in15years. in theproportionofsinglemenand asteadyincreaseintheproportionoffathers,particularsingle fathers(single The apparent lack of change in the economic fragility of French men masks a change in composition, with a decrease single womenwithlowincomes andpensions. of single mothers (40% ofFrenchwomenencountered),andby the more recent increase in the proportion of oftenolder This overrepresentationofwomen,particularlyFrenchwomencompared tomen,canbeexplainedbythehighproportion amongst adultFrenchnationals(graph1a)orforeign1b)encountered between2002and2016. Analysis: In2016,58.6%ofadultFrenchnationalsencounteredwerewomen.The graphsshowthetrendsingenderbreakdown Scope: AdultsfromhouseholdsencounteredbySecoursCatholique. Source: SecoursCatholique. figure1.TRENDSINGENDERBREAKDOWN(2002-2016) with 2015at56.3%.Thatis58.6%ofadultsFrenchnationalityencounteredand51.7%foreignnationaladults. Women representthemajorityofadultsencounteredbyteamsin2016,withtheirshareremainingsteadycompared ■ WOMEN ININCREASINGL ■ DEMOGRAPHICSOF PEOP LE ENCOUNTERED households inirregularsituation2016. with administrative procedures, which are made more and more frequently and affect 20.6% of foreign national Other needsexpressedwereaboutmobility(anincreasingdemandforalltypesofhousehold)andrequestsassistance other types of household, whereas requests whichare not for food are most often from single people (men and women). 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% agreement onalegalframeworktherighttodecentandsustainableaccessfood. enable thedevelopmentofmoredecentandsustainableactions.Inthisfive-yearperiod,wealsohopetoreach Between nowand2020wearehoping that national and European credits willberedefined and redirected to shared gardens,communitykitchens,etc. and sustainablewaytofoodinsecurity:solidaritygroceries,co-operativepurchasinggroups,baskets, Network (EAPN).Alongwithseveralplayersinthefoodsystem,wehighlightactionswhichrespondadecent right to food. We took part in the General Assembly on food (Paris 2017) alongside the European Anti Poverty With theentireCaritasInternationalnetwork, Secours Catholique ran acampaignfrom2013to2015onthe OUR ADVOCACYNETWORK right tofood. points, etc.)3.Thisstopgapapproachtoassistancecannotbetheonlywayrealisedecentandsustainable it doesn’t meettheirexpectations(qualityandoriginofproduce,freedomchoice,thestigmadistribution (FEAD). Itisjustabouttheonlyrouteopentopeopleinvulnerablesituations,whosometimesrefuseitbecause mainly onthedistributionoffoodaid,whichissupportedbyFundforEuropeanAidtomostdeprived Government actionthroughlocalauthorities,supportedbyanactivelyengagedvoluntarysector, isfocussed FOR THE UNIVERSAL SECOURS CATHOLIQUE-CARITAS FRANCE’S VISION 2002 a. French 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 RIGHT TO DECENT AND SUSTAINABLE ACCESS TO FOOD 2009 2010 Y PRECARIOUS SITUATIONS 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Men Women 2002 b. Foreign nationals 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 7fe822eb37 877834611579a token=8fb7e768a telecharger/71709? agriculture.gouv.fr/ 3 -http:// 7 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW 8 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW are agedbetween 25and40yearsold. 24.2% of households in 2016, an increase of two points in five years. Half the reference persons in these households Secours Catholique isat 3.27, that is thehighest of all households encountered. Couples with children represented risen from2.8%ofhouseholdsin 2002to3.6%in2016.Thefragilityindexofsingleparentfamilies encounteredby three outofevery10households. Ofthese,88%aresinglemotherswithchildren.Theproportionof singlefathershas Single parent families are very much in evidence amongst those encountered by Secours Catholique, representing population. by SecoursCatholique:itwasat23%in2016,whereastheymake uparoundonly15.5%ofhouseholdsinthegeneral Whilst theproportionofsinglemenhasbeendecliningsince2006, it remainsveryhighamongsthouseholdsencountered distribution byage(15yearsoldandabove)between20102016. Analysis: In2016, 19.6% ofpeople aged 15yearsand above werebetween 15 and29yearsold.Thebarsdepictthechangein Scope: Peopleaged15yearsandaboveinhouseholdsencounteredbySecours Catholique. Source: SecoursCatholique. figure2.DISTRIBUTIONBYAGE(2010-2016) general population. well astheoverrepresentationoftheirchildrenlessthan20yearsoldcomparedwithdistributionobservedin is demonstrated by the gradual increase in the age of children encountered, who are living in the family home, as older people.Ontheotherhandtheyreflectalossofautonomyamongstyoungadults,wholeavehomelater. This These twocontrastingtrendsreflect,ontheonehand,arelativeandprogressiveweakeninginsituationof people under30yearsold. Conversely, theproportion of the youngest independent adults has tended todecrease, particularly amongst young of isolatedelderlypeople. 36 to42yearsold.Thisincreasinginsecurityamongstolderpeopleisalsoprimarilyareflectionofanimpoverishment mainly affectsadultsofFrenchnationality:theirmedianagehasincreasedbysixyearsoverthelast15years,from almost doubled, increasing from 5%in2000 to almost10% in 2016. This progressive ageing of adults encountered The proportion of adults over 50 years old has increased steadily over the last 15 years. As for the over 60s, they have ■ INSECURITY OF L ■ TYPES OF HOUSEHO LDS: COUPLES WITH CHILDREN WHO ARE VULNERABLE 2010 2013 2016 In Haute-Normandie,weandtheNational Agency forHolidayCheques(ANVC)supportaholidayprojectwhich de-Dôme). time workshops with children living in slums (Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-d’Oise), creation of a solidarity shop (Puy- the “Young Caritas”nationalnetwork,whichenablesthemtodevelopprojectsorjoininwiththem:holiday Beyond ouractivitieswithfamilies,wealsohelpyoungpeopletofulfiltheirdeep-seatedaspirationsthrough residence orsocialhousing,toenablethemgraduallybecomeindependent. an autonomyallowanceandproposethedevelopmentofofferinterimhousing,suchasayoungworkers because they left the education system with no qualifications. We ask that these young people can benefit from We oftenencounterparentswhosegrownupchildrenarestillathomebecausetheycannotfindworkor PROMOTING INDEPENDENCEIN YOUNG PEOPLE SECOURS CATHOLIQUE-CARITAS FRANCE’S VISION which enablesthemtoacquiretransferableskillswillhelp themtofindworkortraining. helps youngpeopletostretchthemselvesandengage.We alsoworkwithOpenHolidays,apartner organisation 0% 15-29 yrs 19.6% 10% 21.4% 23% ONEL 20% 30-39 yrs Y OLDERPEOPLE AND VULNERABIITY OF YOUNG FAMILIES 30% 29.1% 28.3% 28.3% 40% 40-49 yrs 50% 60% 25% 25.6% 25.5% 50-59 yrs 70% 80% 16.8% 16.2% 15.6% 90% 60 yrs+ 9.6% 8.4% 7.6% 100% nationals encountered andalmost42%offoreign nationalswithnostablelegal status. The proportion of women has also increased, with them now representing almost half the reference group of foreign 20%: ithasincreasedfivetimes since2000andhasmorethandoubledthesepastfiveyears. The proportionofundocumented people includedinallforeignnationals(excl.EU)encounteredhas now reachedalmost national statisticsandnevertheless constitutejustoverhalfoftheforeignnationalsencountered (51%). (awaiting determinationoftheirstatusorundocumented,whose situationisveryfragile),whoarenotincludedin general population as a whole, and even six times greater if we include foreign nationals without stable legal status men: theproportionoflegallyresidentforeignnationalsisalmost threetimesgreateramongstthoseseenthaninthe This steadyincreasereflectstheseriousvulnerabilityofforeign nationals insituationsofextremepoverty, especially line) andbygender, between2002and2016. and 35%ofmen.Thecurvesshowthetrendinproportionforeignnationals encountered,inoveralltotalencountered(dotted Analysis: In2002,foreignnationalsmadeup28%ofthereferencepersonshouseholds encountered.Thatis22%ofwomen Scope: PeopleinthereferencegroupofhouseholdsencounteredbySecoursCatholique. Source: SecoursCatholique. figure4.TRENDSINTHEPERCENTAGE OFFOREIGNNATIONALS (2002-2016) (between 6%and7%). nationality, whereastheirshareofthegeneralpopulationhasremainedrelativelystableoverpastfiveyears Over athird of the womenand just less than half the men encountered today by Secours Catholique are of foreign 39% ofreferencepersonsencountered.Thatisanincreasealmostthreepointscomparedwiththepreviousyear The steadyincreaseinthenumberofforeignnationalsencounteredcentrescontinued2016:theymadeup ■ very high.Themajorityofthem(55%)liveinsingleparentfamilies. Children make up 47% of the total number of people encountered. Over time, this proportion has remained steady and and 2.20in2002. of children per household has been declining for several years: 2.12 children on average in 2016, against 2.15 in 2010 Most ofthehouseholdsencounteredhavechildren(54%,whichistwopointshigherthanin2010).However, thenumber Analysis: in2016,SecoursCatholiqueencountered17.1%singlewomen.Theymadeup21%ofthegeneralpopulation2013. lations 2013(excludingcomplexhouseholds). Scope: Left,households encountered bySecoursCatholiquein2016;Right,Nationalstatisticsofficecensusofhouseholdpopu- Sources: SecoursCatholique;Nationalstatisticsofficepopulationcensus. 3.TYPEOFHOUSEHOLDS FIGURE 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% AN INCREASINGL 22% 28% 35% 2002 Men 29.6% Secours Catholique2016 2003 24.2% 2004 Y VULNERABLE AND GROWING POPULATION OF FOREIGN NATIONA LS 6% 23.1% 2005 17.1% 2006 Women 2007 27.4% 2008 24% 33% 28% General population2013 2009 9% 27.1% Total 2010 15.5% 2011 21% 2012 2013 28% 34% 41% Single man Single woman Couple withoutchildren Couple withchildren Single parentfamily 2014 2015 2016 33% 39% 46% 4 . known). only thenationalityis spouse forwhom (unlike apossible specifically indicated nationality are legal statusand encountered, whose foreign nationals reference groupof is restrictedtoa of thissection stated, thescope 4 -Unlessotherwise 9 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW 10 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW and Eurostatdata. 5 -SeeOFPRAreports and singlepeople, andalmostallforeignnationals encountered. in nationalstatistics.Thereception teamsinmajorurbancentrestendtoencounterahigherproportion ofyoungmen vulnerable. Thisisevenmorethe caseifirregularforeignnationalsareincluded,eventhoughthey arenotincluded Populations inmajorurbancentres arestillslightlyover-represented inourencountersandappeartobethemost communities intheoutskirtsand almost15%insmallertownsorruralareas. throughout thecountry:almostthreequartersofpeopleencountered liveinmajorurbancentres,around12%suburban In 2016, the geographical distribution of poverty encountered is more or less in line with that of the general population ■ URB ■ nationals between2010and2016. European countries outside theEUorfromcentralAsia.Thebarsshowchangeindistributionbygeographicaloriginofforeign Analysis: Scope: ReferencepersonsofforeignnationalityinhouseholdsencounteredbySecours Catholique. Source: SecoursCatholique. FIGURE 5.DISTRIBUTIONBYORIGINOFFOREIGNNATIONALS (2010-2016) nationalities areamongstthoseforwhomrecognitionofrefugeestatusisthelowest The threefifthsofforeignnationals fromsub-SaharanAfricaareundocumentedor awaitingregularisation.Their Three quartersoftheEuropeanforeignnationals(outsideEU)andthosefromcentralAsiahavenostablelegalstatus. European countries(outsidetheEU)andcentralAsia(aquarterofforeignnationals)continuestoincrease. to shrink,whereastheproportionfromsub-SaharanAfrica(athirdofforeignnationalsencounteredin2016)orEastern Foreign nationalscomingfromMaghrebortheEuropeanUnionarenowinminorityandtheirproportioncontinues whose legalsituationisunstable. by the association’s activities live in households where the person of reference is a foreign national and, in most cases, The proportionoffamilies offoreignnationalswithchildrenisalsoincreasing.Thuscurrently, 44%ofchildrenaffected 2010 2013 2016 to haveanautomaticrightwork. especially asylumseekerswhowanttowork.SecoursCatholique hasoftencalledpubliclyforasylumseekers Access towork,asteppingstonetowardsintegration,isalsovery difficultformanycategoriesofmigrant, lobbies fortheestablishmentofapolicylearningFrenchwhichincludesallmigrants. arrived foreignnationals.Thisiswhyweareinvolvedinajointadvocacycampaignentitled“Frenchforall”that The possibility of learning French through state-funded professional establishments is only offered to newly BECOMING FULL continues toincrease,whereasthisnumberhasremainedbroadlystableatnationallevelforyears. unconditional welcomeandsupport.Thispartlyexplainswhythenumberofforeignnationalsencountered Secours Catholique-CaritasFranceiscurrentlyoneofthefeworganisationswheremigrantscanreceivean MIGRANTS WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN AND CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY SECOURS CATHOLIQUE-CARITAS FRANCE’S VISION THE GEOGRAPHY OF POVERTY 0% Sub-Saharan Africa AN POPULATIONS ARE OVER-REPRESENTED AND MOST VULNERABLE In 2016,33%ofreferencepersonsforeignnationalityencounteredcamefromsub-SaharanAfrica,25%Eastern 31% 32% 33% 20% Y-FLEDGED CITIZENS Eastern EuropeandCentralAsia 40% 19% 22% 25% 60% 28% North Africa 25% 23% 5 . 80% EU 12% 12% 10% 10% 10% 9% Other 100% many peoplewhoareatthebottomofincomescale. general populationofFrance,thislevelreached3.4%in2015.These ratesshowthatSecoursCatholiqueencounters level calculated at 50% (83%),andfortheextremepovertylevel,whichhasfallenevenfurtherdownto63.3%.In a levelwhichhasfallenslightlycomparedwith2015.Thisisalso thecaseforpovertythresholdbasedon More than nine out of 10 households encountered by Secours Catholique live below the poverty threshold of 60%, extreme poverty. indicator (Eurostat);the50%thresholdhistoricallyappliedinFrance;and40%threshold,whichgiveslevelof of livinginthepopulation as awhole.Inseecalculatesthreethresholds:the60%threshold, whichistheEuropean be decent. In France and in Europe, we consider a relative threshold, calculated according to the median standard at least, this line corresponds to the minimum level of income needed to have a standard of living that is judged to The povertylinecalculatedbyInseeisusedtodistinguishthosewhoarepoorfromnot.Conceptually, A POLARISATION OFL FINANCIA ■ material demands,whichpushesthepooresttoseeksupportoforganisationslikeSecoursCatholique. and isolated,insuburbanruralareasitismoreoftentheinstabilityoflivingconditions,combinedwithspecific So whilst it is the acute shortage of resources and financial emergency which prevail in urban areas for the marginalised concentrated intheseareas. towns andthecountryside,reflectingrelativeinsecurityofolderretiredpeopleonsmallpensions,whoare and lessexpensivehousing.Singlewomenageingcoupleswithoutchildrenarealsooverrepresentedinsmaller a lesserextentinotherurbanandruralareas,aremostoftenfamilies,likelydrawnbytheavailabilityoflarger their fragilityhasincreasedmarkedlyduringthelast10years.Thehouseholdsencounteredinsuburbanareasand,to People livinginsuburbanareas,smalltownsandthecountrysideappearcomparativelylessvulnerable,although ■ INSECURE LIVINGCONDITIONS INSUBUR Sub-total withchildren Couplewithchildren Singlemother Singlefather Sub-total withoutchildren Couplewithoutchildren Singlewoman Singleman Type ofhousehold (%) Median age(years) Foreign nationals Women households encounteredhadastandard of livingbelowthisthreshold. Analysis: In2015,14.2%ofthegeneralpopulation livedbelowthe60%povertythreshold.AtSecoursCatholique,thissameyear, 92.1%of Scope: ForSecoursCatholique,allsituationsencountered byreceptionteams. INSEE,Sources: SecoursCatholique; generalpopulation. T urban centres,23.9%weremadeupofsinglemen. persons of households encountered in these major urban centres, 47.1% were of foreign nationality. Of households encountered in these major Analysis: In2016,womenmadeup55.8%ofadults,withamedianage39yearsold,encounteredinmajorurbancentres.Ofthereference Scope: Adults,referencepersonsorallhouseholdsencounteredbySecoursCatholique. Source: SecoursCatholique. T 60% threshold 50% threshold 40% threshold able 3.POVERTY LEVE able 2.DEMOGRAPHICCHARACTERISTICS B VERY POORSTANDARDS OF LIVINGPERSIST, Threshold €1 015 2015 €846 €677 6 OF HOUSEHOLDS ENCOUNTERED B population 2015 General 14.2% 8.0% 3.4% Major urban areas 53.8% 24.6% 25.8% 46.2% 16.6% 23.9% 47.1% 55.8% 3.4% 5.7% 39 Y L OCATION (2016) AN AND RURA L 92.4% 84.2% 65.0% 2014 SITUATIONS Y SECOURS CATHOLIQUE Suburban areas Secours Catholique 55.0% 24.6% 25.7% 45.0% 17.8% 20.3% 13.6% 59.8% 4.7% 6.9% 41 AREAS 92.1% 83.5% 64.2% 2015 and ruralareas Other urban 56.5% 24.2% 28.4% 43.5% 19.0% 17.5% 12.4% 57.0% 3.9% 7.0% 42 2016 91.8% 83.0% 63.3% 7 adjusted forinflation. available from2015, on thelastthreshold 7 -2016levelsbased revenues in2015. based onfiscal calculated byINSEE 6 -Thresholds 11 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW 12 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW people withoutbenefits aresinglemothers. Three quartersof unemployedpeopleencountered donotreceiveunemploymentbenefit. Threeoutoftenunemployed people onunemploymentbenefit isstablebutit is falling forforeignnationals,eventhoughitwas already relatively low. in Frenchsocietyasawhole,but itisstable:justoverathirdofthepeopleencountered.Thepercentage ofFrench Amongst theeconomicallyactive, thepercentageofunemployedpeopleremainsveryhighwithregard totheirproportion ■ ONGOINGUNEMPL but theyarepermanentcontractsthatdonotprovideforallneeds. proportion ofpeopleonpermanentcontracts(aquartertheFrench peopleinemploymentwhowereencountered), Most ofthepeopleencounteredareinemployment:52%,compared to56%inthegeneralpopulation.Thereisstilla ■ WORKERS ININSECURE EMPL ■ SITUATIONS RELATIVE TO EMPL per month. a standardoflivingwellbelowthepovertyline:over70%these householdsliveonlessthan800eurosperperson Households of French nationality, even though more likely to have some income, have, in the vast majority of cases, tion unit,andfor13%itisbetween200euros399euros. years olddonothaveanyincome.Ofthese,6%anestimatedstandardoflivingbetween1euroand199eurosperconsump- Analysis: In2016,39%ofhouseholdsencounteredbySecoursCatholiqueandwherethereferencepersonisbetween1524 Scope: AllsituationsencounteredbySecoursCatholiquein2016. Source: SecoursCatholique. OFREFERENCEPERSONS FIGURE6.DISTRIBUTIONOFHOUSEHOLDSBYSTANDARD OFLIVINGANDCHARACTERISTICS particular totheincreaseincostofliving,whicharefacedbypoorestfamilies. continued in 2016.However, thesethresholdsbasedonlyonincomedonotreflectthegrowingdifficulties, linkedin more thanin2015.Thereductionthepovertylevelofhouseholdsencountered,whichwasalreadyseen2015, The standardoflivinghouseholdswithanincomewhichisnotzerohasincreasedsteadilysince2010:10euros ■ INCREASING, BUT INADEQUATE, INCOMES half liveonlessthan400eurospermonth. The youngesthouseholdsarealsofinanciallythemostinsecure:almost40%ofthemlivewithoutanyincomeandover income aresinglemen. welfare benefits. Halfaretwo-parent orsingle-parent families withchildren. Overathirdofthese households without are, in53%ofcases,foreignnationalswithnostablelegalstatus,whodonothavetherighttoworkorreceive compared with2010,reaching19%.Thatisalmostonehouseholdinfive2016.Thesehouseholdsnoincome The proportionofhouseholdswithnoincomehasincreasedbyonepointcompared2015,andfivepoints ■ NOINCOME FOR ALMOST ONEINFIVEHOUSEHOLDS ENCOUNTERED 548 eurosperpersonmonth,buttherewasapolarisationinthefinancialsituationsencountered: Between 2015 and2016, the averagestandard of living of Secours Catholique households remained stable at around 100% 25% 50% 75% 0% a. Breakdownbyage 15-24 yrs 25-34 yrs OYMENT 35-44 yrs 45-54 yrs OYMENT 55-64 yrs > 65 yrs b. Breakdownbynationality Foreigners without non-EU, status Foreigners from EU OYMENT Foreigners with legal non-EU, status French 600-799 400-599 > 1 No income 1-199 200-399 800-999 000 but withinsufficientincometofulfilthehouseholdneeds. Amongst coupleswithchildren,wenotethatinalmostthreeoutof10cases,atleastonethetwoadultsisemployed, nationality encountered. French menencounteredareeitherinemploymentoronunemploymentbenefits.Thereverseistrueforofforeign well as an increase in the percentage of those who do not have the right to work or those living rough. Two thirds of Amongst men,wealsoseeadecreaseintheproportionofeconomicallyactive(61.5%2010,54%2016),as –10 pointsforwomenofforeignnationality active women(employedorunemployed)was50%in2016,butwithgreatdisparities:+3pointsforFrenchand (from 10%to17%ofwomenforeignnationalsandfrom7%Frenchwomen).Theproportioneconomically of womenwhodonothavetherighttowork(from25%36%foreignnationals)andthoselivingrough Amongst women, the proportion of housewives has continued to fall since 2010, yet we see an increase in the proportion were foreignnationals. Analysis: Amongstthe17.1%ofadultsinemploymentencounteredbySecoursCatholiqueen2016,12.7%wereFrenchand4.4% Scope: AlladultsbelongingtohouseholdsencounteredbySecoursCatholique. Source: SecoursCatholique. figure7.DISTRIBUTIONOFEMPLOYMENT–UNEMPLOYMENTINACTIVITYBYNATIONALITY in thepercentageofpeoplesleepingrough(“otherswithoutemployment”):8%2010,10%2013and12%2016. foreign nationalswithouttherighttoworkamongstpeopleencounteredbySecoursCatholique.We alsonoteanincrease in recentyears:43%2010,44%2013and48%2016.Thiscanpartlybeexplainedbythegreaterproportionof unemployed)inourcentreshasrisensteeply The proportionofeconomicallyinactivepeople(neitheremployedorregistered ■ INCREASING INACTIVITY of unemploymentsituationswithoutbenefitshadbeensoforlessthanayear. benefits have beensofor overayear, with 19%overfive yearsor more,whereas atthe beginning ofthe 2000s, 53% Unemployment situationswithoutbenefitsbecomethenormovertimeand62.5%ofunemployedpeople benefits forlessthansixmonthsisdecreasing. The proportionofunemployedpeopleonbenefitsforovertwoyearsisincreasing,whilst recycling plants, Accorderies,solidaritycafés…). Cocagne, energyefficienthousing renovationswithNetworkEcoHabitat;circulareconomy(reuse centres, “Territories zero long-term unemployed” (TZCLD) We supportentrepreneursfromthesocialandsolidarityeconomy: theTissons lasolidarité SUPPORTING INITIATIVES FROM THE SOCIA L to overcometheproblemsofmobility. We offer personal microcredit to purchase a vehicle and support the solidarity garages of the Solidarauto network synergies withthepublicemploymentservice. framework ofthechartersignedatbeginning2017with NationalEmploymentService,theyestablish Secours Catholiqueemploymentteamshostmeetingplacesproviding individualandgroupsupport.Withinthe “WORKING, PROVIDES A GOA L SECOURS CATHOLIQUE-CARITAS FRANCE’S VISION 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 0% Sub-total inemployment 12.7% 4.4% Sub-total unemployed INLIFE” 26.5% 8.3% 9 ; solidarity groceries or bio baskets from the gardens of AND SOLIDARITY ECONOMY Sub-total economicallyinactive 22.7% 25.5% French Foreign nationals 8 network,project term unemployment.. aims toreducelong territorial experiment February 2016,this no. 2016-231of29 according toAct run itforfiveyears, were selectedto phase: 10territories in itsexperimental project iscurrently term unemployed” “Territories zerolong- Catholique, the supported bySecours Quart Mondeand 9 -DevisedbyATD hand clothing. recycling ofsecond- sector: re-useand network. Activity of theCaritasFrance activity andamember through economic network forintegration solidarité” isa 8 -“Tissons la 13 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW 14 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW with benefitsastheironlysourceofincome,ithasincreasedby2.5%andis795euros. 2015. For households which work but do not receive benefits it is alsoslightly down at 856 euros. Finally, for households The averageincomeofhouseholdsencounteredwhichcombineworkandbenefitsis1,089eurosslightlydownon ■ FALLING INCOMES ■ RESOURCES AND Over aquarterofhouseholdsencountered in2016livedinsecurehousing(hotel,caravan,mobilehome, family, shelter, ■ VERY INSECURE HOUSINGCONDITIONS social housingandintheprivate rentalsector. Almost threequartersofhouseholdsencountered in 2016werelivingsecureaccommodation, mainly inlow rental ■ HOUSING AND LIVINGCONDITIONS those whoareeligible. explained bythepercentageofeligiblehouseholds,butisdue,in parttoadecreaseinthebenefitcoverageamong family allowancesandtoalesserextentfromdecreaseinuse ofhousingbenefits.Thisdecreasecannotsolelybe on 2010 and 2013. Part of thisreduction seems tocome from the decrease in thepercentage of households receiving The percentage of households encountered that receive at least one state benefit payment is 64.4%, and is well down ■ INSUFFICIENT BENEFITS to benefits. of cases,thesetypesincomearethehouseholds’onlyfinancialresourceandin41%theyaddition in hand activities) is also increasing (+ 2 points) amongst all households encountered by Secours Catholique. In 31% The proportion of households drawing on informal sources of income (transfers from family or friends, begging, cash ■ AN INCREASE ININFORMA L were living in insecure housing in 2016, which is the case for “only” just over 12% of households of French nationality. nationality. French were livingininsecure housingin2016,whichisthe casefor“only”justover12% of households last sixyears).This trendreflectstheextremehousing insecurityofhouseholdsforeign nationalityencountered:over half points since 2013 and +5 points over the accommodation centre, the street, etc.). This sector has continually increased (+3 Other income Work andbenefits Work only Benefits only No income CONSTANT EUROS 2016 T category ofhouseholdis795euros.Thisrepresentsanincrease2.5%,or19euros,comparedto2015. Analysis: In2016,38%ofhouseholdsencounteredbySecoursCatholiqueonlyreceiveincomefrombenefits.Themedianthis Scope: AllsituationsencounteredbySecoursCatholiqueduringtheyear. Source: SecoursCatholique. able 4.MEDIANINCOME ACCORDING TO TYPE OF FUNDS INHOUSEHOLDS ENCOUNTERED, IN - foreignnationalswithleavetoremaininFranceareableworkthere. - - largecompaniescommittoworkingalongsidethestatefundstowardsasocialandsolidarityeconomy; common goodandtosociety; the PersonalActivityAccount(CPA - initsFrenchacronym)becomesatooltorecognisetheircontributionthe - - With thesupportofSecoursCatholique,unemployedhopethat: the actions of the State, the regions, the employment bureau, the departments and the municipal social action supported; alternative punishmentstotheprisonsystemwhichfacilitateaccessworkindedicatedfacilitiesarewidely centres (CCAS),arecoordinatedaroundthelocalterritorialplansforinclusivemobility; are lessheavyhanded; access to information administration and control systems linked to employment are simplified and that procedures access toinformationadministrationandcontrolsystemslinkedemploymentaresimplifiedthatprocedures

(informal) % situations 27% 43% 14% 8% 8% 2010 INCOME In € 1 075 BENEFITS 820 737 962 0 Median incomeineuros2016 % situations 26% 39% 18% 7% 9% 2015 In € 1 095 866 776 968 0 % situations 25% 38% 19% 11% 8% 2016 In € 1 089 856 795 933 0 Variations in 2010-2016 income + 36 + 14 + 58 In € - 29 - rental and41%forenergy, whereasunpaidwaterbillsrepresented just17.7%(increasingsince2010). The mostcommonarrearsarerentalsandenergyexpenditure,with averyhighpercentagein2016:42.5%forunpaid over threequartersofincome(77.5%). The medianamountofarrearsfellin2016toitslowestlevelsincethestartdecade:771euros,whichisstill not haveexpensestogeneratearrears. status andpeopleofnofixedabode(Frenchorforeignnationals)who,intheabsencesecureaccommodation,do 2015 and 60% in2010). This reduction is inpartlinked to the growing proportion of foreign nationals without legal proportion hasfallenforthethirdconsecutiveyear:56.3%ofallhouseholdsencounteredin2016(against57.3% Most ofthehouseholdsencounteredbySecoursCatholiqueareaffectedsomelevelarrears.Nevertheless, ■ SIGNIFICANT ARREARS ONHOUSING considerably, dividingitbyalmostathirdtobring16.5%. conditions forthepooresthouseholds,whotheymainlybenefit:infactreducetheirgrossaffordabilityratioquite Despite areductionof5eurossince1October2017,APLsarenonethelessessentialtoguaranteedecentliving would havetospendalmosthalfoftheirmeagreincomeonpayingrent. total householdbudget,remainsverysignificant:intheabsenceofanyspecificassistance,householdsencountered Consequently, the gross affordability ratio after deductionofAPLincreasedmorequickly(+1.8%inthesameperiod). since 2010withagrowthof1%.ThelevelAPLhasnotalwaysfollowedthisincrease,somuchthatnetrentals Median grossrentals the budgetsofthesehouseholds. and indirect costs (energy, water, communication), associated with occupancy of accommodation, weigh heavily on Access tosecureaccommodationisnoguaranteeofescapefrominsecurity:thedirectcosts(rental,monthlyrepayments) ■ A HIGHPRICEFOR SECURE ACCOMMODATION Sub-total insecurehousing Squat, makeshiftshelter, thestreet Refuge, shelter Family, friends Caravan, houseboat,mobilehome Hotel, B&B,furnishedaccommodation Sub-total stableaccommodation Owner-occupied property Collective housing Private rental Low rentalsocialhousing Analysis: In2010,78.1%ofhouseholdsencounteredlivedinstablehousing.21.9%insecure Scope: AllhouseholdsencounteredbySecoursCatholique. Source: SecoursCatholique. T able 5.DISTRIBUTION 10 including housing benefits (APL) have continued to increase faster than inflation but less quickly includinghousingbenefits(APL)havecontinuedtoincreasefasterthaninflationbutlessquickly Y TYPE OF HOUSING(2010-2016) 11 , which corresponds to the share of gross rental expenditure as part of the 21,9 % 78,1 % 29,1 % 40,2 % 2010 3,6 % 6,2 % 8,2 % 1,9 % 2,0 % 4,5 % 4,3 % 24,4 % 75,7 % 26,9 % 39,7 % 2013 5,2 % 6,5 % 8,5 % 1,9 % 2,3 % 5,0 % 4,1 % 26,9 % 73,1 % 39,3 % 25,2% 2016 4,6 % 8,6 % 9,1 % 1,5 % 3,1 % 4,3 % 4,3 % available inthedata. this informationisnot costs. Unfortunately, and waterenergy shared utilitycosts to accommodation, include taxeslinked INSEE, itshouldalso exact definitionof According tothe mortgage payments. expenses ormonthly includes onlyrental affordability ratiohere 11 -Thegross the report). this summary(andin term rentalisusedin sake ofsimplicity, the households. Forthe for owner-occupier mortgage payments extension, monthly households or, by rentals paidbytenant 10 -Rentalsreferto 15 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW 16 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 RECEPTION STATISTICS -OVERVIEW AGAINST POORPEOPLE 2.DECONSTRUCTINGPREJUDICES a conventionalsurvey, through the 5,357 formscollected,thisTravelling Initiative MCQ providesinsightsandlearnings. multiple choicequestionnaire(MCQ)forpassers-byinthecourseof the30stagesoftravellinginitiative.Althoughnot conducted bySecoursCatholiqueinspring2017:arepresentative survey, completedbytheViavoice Instituteanda The availableinformationonprejudicetowardsthepoorcomesfrom twostudiessetupaspartofthetravellinginitiative deconstruct them,mainlythroughfactorsmentionedpreviously. The purposeofthissecondsectionistoaddresseightprejudices againstpeopleinvulnerablesituationsandto

© STEVEN WASSENAAR / SCCF population. Thereforethatdoesnotconstituteaprofit. the poorestwouldcover99%ofcostchildren aged over3yearsoldforhouseholds in thepoorest 10% ofthe Even ifweconsiderthemeasurewhichwouldbeclosesttoprejudice1,socialandfiscalmeasuresinfavourof With the normative measure linked to baseline budgets of children by theNationalObservatoryofPovertyandSocialExclusion(ONPES)baselinebudgetsrequiredtomeetneeds “modified OECD”equivalencescale,oraccordingtoamoreoriginalnormativemeasure,basedontherecentdefinition The costofachildforhouseholdscanbeassessedeitherbytraditionalempiricalmeasure,whichderivesfromthe Family allowancesthatdonotcoverthecostsofchildren Quart Mondein2014 51% ofFrenchpeoplequestionedintherepresentativesurveyconductedbyBeBetter&CoandOpinionWay forATD This prejudiceisstillwidespreadinpublicopinion:31.5%ofpeoplequestionedontheTravelling InitiativeMCQand debt thanothers euros, for single mothers 755 euros, and 633 euros for single women. Households with children face higher levels of When thesehouseholdsareindebt, theaveragelevelforsinglefathersis948euros,couples withchildren,916 (62.1%). Amongst thesehouseholds,itis mostfrequentlysinglefatherswhoareindebt(62.6%)followed bysinglemothers Families encounteredwithchildren aremostoftenindebt without children. Analysis: Scope: Frenchcouplesorlegallyresidentofforeignnationalityencountered bySecoursCatholique. Source: SecoursCatholique. CHILDRENANDCOUPLESWITHencounteredby FIGURE8.ANNUALVARIANCE INAVERAGE STANDARD OFLIVINGBETWEENCOUPLESWITHOUT Det lescouplesaceannuelledeniveauviemoyenentresansenfants value ofbetweenoneandtwomonthsstandardlivingovertheyear. differences insituationbetweenthosewithchildrenandwithout,whichrepresentthemonetary Comparisons ofstandardsliving A lowerstandardoflivingamongstcoupleswithchildren family allowances,fellby11pointsbetween2002and2016,downto69%in2016. We alsonotethattheproportionoffamiliesencounteredbySecoursCatholique,withatleasttwochildrenandreceiving cost tothefamilies. empirical costofchildrenover3yearsoldiscoveredforthepoorest10%households.Thisleavestwothirds differences. IfwestudytheseaveragelivingstandardsforcouplesencounteredbySecoursCatholique,alsonote - 1 ------000 € 900 € 800 € 700 € 600 € 500 € 400 € 300 € 200 € In 2016, couples with three or more children had an annual average standard of living of 911 euros less than couples 13 2010 . 16 . 12 2011 agreewiththisstatement. THE POORHAVE BABIESTOGETFAMILY ALLOWANCES 2012 15 betweencoupleswithchildrenandthosewithoutinthegeneralpopulationshow 2013 FA PREJUDICE 1: L 2014 14 SE ! SE , where the cost does not depend on income, 34% of the SECOURS CATHOLIQUE 2015 2016 ou plus Couples avectroisenfants Couples avecdeuxenfants Couples avecunenfant more children Couples withthree or Couples withtwo children Couples withonechild ed.).. l’Atelier, 2016(nouv. Les Éditionsde Éditions QuartMonde, the poorandpoverty. misconceptions about Putting anendto social benefit”,in children toobtain “poor peoplehave misconception no.26, 16 -Seealso consumption units. number ofhousehold income relativeto 15 -Amountof Reference.pdf Sou/Budgets_de_ www.credoc.fr/pdf/ pdf andhttp:// Rapport_2014_2015. IMG/pdf/WEB_ onpes.gouv.fr/ 14 -http://www. 479-480, 2015. et statistique,no478- children?”, Économie for thecostof what compensation in favouroffamilies: and fiscalmeasures Muriel Pucci,“Social Céline Marcand 13 -AdélaïdeFavrat, opinion-peut-evoluer/ pauvrete-mais-leur- sur-les-pauvres-et-la- au-moins-un-prejuge- fr/97-des-francais-ont- atd-quartmonde. 12 -https://www. 17 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW 18 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW 340 eurosotherwise. centre (CADA),and seekers’ reception housed inanasylum for asinglepersonif 200 eurospermonth 17 -Thisamountsto Almost fourfifthsofunemployed foreignnationalsencountereddonotreceiveanybenefits. Only 57%offoreignnationalhouseholds thatcouldbeeligibleforfamilyallowancesactuallybenefit fromthem. solidarity income(RSA)whichtheycouldclaim. outside the EU (legally resident and in the country for over five years) respectively, do not receive the base active nationals whocouldclaimit.71%offoreignfromthe EU encounteredand48%offoreignnationalsfrom By wayofillustration, the rate of non take-up of the base active solidarity income (RSA) is higher amongst foreign nationals fromexercisingthem. when rights exist (and are known about) the cumbersome and complex procedures prevent a large number of foreign either because,intheabsenceofastablelegalstatus,theyhave onlylimitedaccesstomeagrebenefitsorbecause The Frenchsocialsystemdoesnotappeartobeparticularlygenerous, withforeignnationalsinvulnerablesituations Poor accesstorightsandsocialbenefits have limitedaccesstobenefitsorbecausetheseare,onaverage,lower. on income from benefits alone, and when this is thecase, their standardof living remains poorer, either because they social transfers, compared with 84 % of French households. Only 29% of households of foreign nationals are living Coverage (CMU).Consequently, only42%ofhouseholdsforeignnationalsreceiveatleastoneformincomefrom other aidexcept,asappropriate,thelowasylumseekerallowance of foreignnationalhouseholdswhoareawaitingregularisationorundocumented,withnorighttoworkand national householdsencounteredwhodonotreceiveanyincome(44%).Thisisthecaseinparticularfortwothirds This greatinsecurityofhouseholdsforeignnationalscanbepartiallyexplainedbythehighproportion cases, belowthethresholdofextremepovertyat40%. all offoreignnationalhouseholdsencounteredlivebelowthepovertythresholdandinvastmajority month, thatismorethan10timeslowerthe60%povertythreshold.Whateveroriginoftheirincome,almost nationals arehardlydoingbetter. Theiraveragestandardofliving(byunitconsumption)islessthan100eurosper French householdsinvulnerablesituationsfarfromguaranteesthemadecentstandardofliving,foreign nationals (139euros)ismuchlowerthaninFrenchhouseholds(930euros).Thus,althoughthelevelofresources Firstly, itshouldbeemphasisedthatinthehouseholdsencounteredaveragemonthlyincomeofforeign Scarce ornonexistentresources The resultsoftheTravelling initiativeMCQshowthatfouroutof10peoplearenotshockedbythisstatement. income. Thefiguresarebrokendownbynationalityandaccordingtothelegalstatusofreferencepersonsforeignnationality. poverty threshold.Azeromedianforrevenueorstandardoflivingmeansthatatleast50%householdspeoplefromthesamplehaveno per month,thatisamedianstandardofliving(byunitconsumption)665euros.Ofthese,89%householdswerebelowthe60% Analysis: In 2016, the median resources of households encountered where the reference person is of French nationality amounted to 930 euros Scope: AllhouseholdsencounteredbySecoursCatholique. Source: SecoursCatholique. Median income(household) Income T Threshold at40% Threshold at60% Poverty rate Median standardofliving(byUC) Threshold at50% able 6.LEVE FOREIGNERS COMETOTAKE ADVANTAGE OFTHEGENEROSITYFRENCHSOCIALSYSTEM OF RESOURCES AND POVERTY RATES OF FOREIGN NATIONALS (2016) French FA PREJUDICE 2: $930 $665 52 % 77 % 89 % L SE ! SE Total $139 87 % 95 % 98 % 17 $78 , StateMedicalAid(AME)orUniversalHealth Foreign nationals Legally resident

$682 $430 76 % 91 % 96 % Without status 100 % 98 % 99 % $0 $0 debts amountedto 740euros. Analysis: In2016,52%ofhouseholds encounteredinmajorurban areasdeclaredsomedebt.Themedian monthlyamountofthese Scope: AllhouseholdsencounteredbySecours Catholique. Source: SecoursCatholique. figure9.LEVELOFDEBTSANDMEDIANAMOUNTPERAREA(2016) high costsoftransportgettingtoandfromhometheworkplace. work leadstomultiplefinancialdifficulties:arrearsintax,creditpayments,insuranceandmutualbankoverdraftsand a monthlymedianbetween60and110euroshigher. Paradoxically, amoresocially integratedwayoflife,closetotheworld in suburbanareasandsmallurbanorruraldeclaresomedebts(almost20pointsmorethanmajorcentres),giving The costofhousinghasa directimpactonanincreasinglyslim “disposableincome”.Thus,almost70% ofhouseholdsencountered years so thattheaccommodationaffordabilityratiocontinuestobeveryhigh(over40%)andhasincreasedsteadilyforlastfive particular. Thesepastfewyears,theincreaseinrentstheseareashasbeen greaterthanthegrowthinincomeofpoorest, housing market,coupledwithgreaterpopulationgrowth;resultinhigheraveragerentstheoutersuburbsofmajorcities families wholivetheretofindlargeraccommodation,thelimitedavailabilityofsubsidisedsocialhousingandpressureon 31% inmajorurbancentres).Theproportionofownersandtenantsthereisrespectivelyfivetwotimeshigher. Theneedfor Less than15%ofpeopleencounteredinsuburbanareasorsmallurbanandruralliveinadequatehousing(comparedto Less inadequatehousingbutmoreexpenditureanddebt not allowthemtoclaimadecentstandardofliving. is a growing vulnerability amongst families, particularly single parent families, andolderpeople whose meagre resources do unemployment benefitsfollowingtheseshortperiodsofworkareverypoorasanyaccruedpensionrights.Asaresultthere They areoftenlowskilled,fixedtermcontract,parttime,seasonalortemporaryjobs,whichinfactpaid.Furthermore, Whilst theresidentsoftheseareasarecertainlyclosertojobmarket,instabilitytheirjobsremainssignificant. whose incomecomesfromformerprofessionalactivityandpensionrightsexercised. unemployment benefits.Thisisalsothecaseinotherurbanandruralareas,wherethereanolderpopulation income frompaidemployment,whichissometimescombinedwithtransfers.Theunemployedtheremoreoftenreceive In suburban areas there are a higher proportion of families where at least one member is working and who derive their standard oflivingurbanhouseholdsencounteredremains12%belowthatinotherareas. foreign national households, with much lower average incomes, who were encountered in major urban centres, the ‘only’ 50%insuburbanandotherurbanruralareas.Evenwithouttakingintoaccountthehigherproportionof centres: two thirds of these people even live under the 40% extreme poverty threshold whereas this proportion is The proportionofpeopleencountered living below the official 60%poverty thresholdis actually higherinmajor urban Disparity inresourcesandemploymentsituations Of thepeopleinterviewedduringTravelling Initiative,twothirdswerenotshockedbythisstatement. small urban and rural centres. small urbanandruralcentres. (after deductionofAPL)tendstobeanequallyonerousorevengreaterpartthebudgetpoorhouseholdsinsuburbsd 680 700 720 740 760 780 800 820 840 860 18 € € € € € € € € € € . Given that personalised housing assistance (APL) is lower here than in major urban centres, net housing expenditure . Giventhatpersonalisedhousingassistance(APL)islowerherethaninmajorurbancentres,netexpenditure Median amountofarrears Urban centres 52% 740 IT’S NOTIT’S SO SIMP YOU ARELESSPOORIFLIVEINTHECOUNTRY PREJUDICE 3: Suburban 69% 850 L E! Other urban/ruralareas 68% 800 Arrears rate 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 10 % % % % % % % % “Insee Références”. Edition 2017,coll. conditions inFrance. this subjectsee:Living 18 -Forinformationon 19 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW 20 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW active inwork. are theeconomically economically active the employed in employment, unemployed or who areregistered active arepeople 22 -Theeconomically Definitions. 21 -INSEE.fr, op. cit. 20 -ATD QuartMonde html view-article-139756. non-pourvues-@/543/ actualites/les-offres- pole-emploi.org/ 19 -http://www. added towhichwere1.4millionpeoplewhoareeconomicallyinactivebutnotofficiallyunemployedin education equaltoorhigherthansecondarylevel:brevet,CAP, BEP, baccalaureateorhigher. from 2.7% in 2010 to 2.2% in 2016. And those who are in occupational training are mainly those who have a level of the economicallyactiveencountered,proportionofthosetobenefitfromanytrainingisstillverylowandfalling Occupational trainingshouldalsobeawayforpeopleinthemostdifficultytoobtainskilledjobs.However, amongst Occupational training:1.1%ofallpeopleencountered encountered, 12.2% havethesedifficulties,whatever theiremploymentsituation. Analysis: Scope: Referencepersonsinhouseholdsencountered bySecoursCatholiquein2016. Source: SecoursCatholique. –FORALLPEOPLEENCOUNTERED figure10.DISTRIBUTIONOFLEVELEDUCATION FORPEOPLEINOCCUPATIONAL TRAINING significantly: from12.3%oftheemployed However, overthelast15years,proportionofpeopletakenongovernment employmentschemeshasfallen over 50yearsoldwhohavebeenunemployedforlongerthanthreemonths,youngpeoplewithnoqualifications Secours Catholique:long-termjobseekers,recipientsofminimumsocialwelfarebenefits,disabledpeople,people Government employmentschemesareinprincipalavailableto“targetaudiences”,likemanypeopleencounteredby Government employmentschemes:only3.7%ofpeopleinworkencountered unemployed oreconomicallyinactive:77%forFrenchnationalsand82%foreignnationals. three quartersofpeopleencounteredwhohavealeveleducationhigherthanorequaltothebaccalaureateare than thebaccalaureate.Butthislevelofeducationdoesnotprovideasufficientsafeguardagainstpovertysinceover secondary. Approximatelyoneinfiveforeignnationalsencounteredhasalevelofeducationequivalenttoorhigher dip in2016).Almostsixevery10peopleencounteredhavealevelofeducationeitherequaltoorhigherthan The levelofeducationpeopleencounteredbySecoursCatholiquehasbeenrisingforseveralyears(withaslight Education: araisingofstandardswithoutprovidingsafeguardagainstvulnerability think thatyoucaneasilyfindajobifreallylookforone. Whilst clearlyagraphicillustration,thisdifferenceinorderofmagnitudeshowsthatitwouldbeoversimplisticto misconceptions aboutthepoorandpoverty a similar situation, and, in 2016, 8 million people who needed employment , according to the authors of Dispelling public employmentservice There areafewhundredthousandjobsavailable(almost190,000offerswerenottakenupin2015accordingtothe According toarepresentativesurvey, overhalf(54%)ofFrenchpeopleagreewiththisstatement. which standardoflivingindicatorsdonotalwayscapture. an inabilitytocopewiththecostoflivingandincreasingcosts.Itaddsamoraldimensionparticipatinginsociety Whilst urbanpovertyismoreoftencharacterisedbyafinancialemergency, extremesuburbanandruralpovertyreflects Primary (school,6 Secondary (brevet,CAP, BEP) Higher (bacorabove) Difficulties readingorwriting In 2016, 1.4% of people encountered in occupational training have difficulties in reading orwriting. Of all people e , 5 e ) 19 ), whereastherearemillionsofpeoplelookingforjobs:2.9millionunemployedin2015, IF YOULOOKFORWORKCANFINDIT 22 20 in2003,itfellto3.7%2016. Professional training . FA 14.4% 27.2% PREJUDICE 4: 57% L SE! 1.4% 43.4% 28.4% 12.2% Total 16% 21 … - - ForeignnationalsfromoutsidetheEUwhohavenorighttowork. increased from26%to29%.Evenwithsecureemployment,these peoplecontinuetohavepoorlivingstandards. become long-termsituations.Since2003 Almost oneinfivepeopleencounteredbySecoursCatholiquework, withaquarterinfull-timepermanentroles.These People whoareworkingandvulnerable economic inactivity, andwhomakeupathirdofpeopleencounteredbySecoursCatholique. A generaldecreaseinunemploymentwouldnotimprovethesituationofthesepeopleworkingagewhoendure - - Astrongpresenceofpeoplewhoarefarremovedfromeconomicactivity. Catholique, wenote: Among theeconomicallyinactive(neitherinemploymentnorregisteredasunemployed)encounteredbySecours People whocannotwork abode orareinasituationofincapacity). out of10areinemploymentorcannotbecountedasunemployed(peoplewhohavenorighttowork,fixed Two thirds of people encountered by Secours Catholique are not officially unemployed. Amongst them, more than eight BUT: unemploymentisnottheonlycauseofpoverty has increasedsince2008:65%against68%in2016,itisaboutseventimeshigherthanthegeneralpopulation. For virtuallyallcategoriesoftheeconomicallyactiveencounteredbySecoursCatholique,rateunemployment YES: therateofunemploymentamongstpeopleencounteredbySecoursCatholiqueisveryhigh According toarepresentativesurvey, 56%ofFrenchpeopleagreewiththisstatement. insufficient accesstooccupationaltrainingandgovernmentemploymentschemes. Therefore, evenifthelevelofeducationisincreasing,peopleencounteredhavenomoreaccesstoworkand training. Whilst theyrepresent17.6%ofthepopulationencountered,50-59yearoldsonly7.7%peopleinoccupational training. Whilst under 25s make up only 8.3% of the population encountered, they constitute 25.8% of those in occupational 5 yearsandover 2 yearstolessthan5 1 yeartolessthan2years 6 monthstolessthan1year Less than6months Catholique. Analysis: In2010,49.8%ofpeople inFixedTerm fulltimeemployment hadbeenforlessthansixmonths atthetimeoftheirvisittoSecours Scope: RespondentsinPermanentorFixedTerm employmentfromhouseholdsencounteredbySecoursCatholique. Source: SecoursCatholique. T (from10% to12%ofeconomicallyinactiveNorthAfricans). French (from30%to36%ofeconomicallyinactiveFrench)andNorthAfricansencounteredbySecoursCatholique The proportionofthosewhoareeconomicallyinactiveowingtodisabilityisontheincreasesince2003amongst inactive 35-39yearoldsand27%ofeconomically50-54olds. People ofnofixedabode(“otherswithoutwork”):34%economicallyinactive20-24yearolds,28% able 7. DISTRIBUTION OF DURATION ONPERMANENT/TEMPORARYLL FU Duration ofemployment situation IT’S NOTIT’S SO SIMP UNEMPLOYMENT ISTHEMAINCAUSEOFPOVERTY 13.6% 12.2% 14.6% 49.8% 2010 9.8% 23 FIXED TERMfulltime theproportionofpeopleonpermanentcontractsforoverfive years has 13.8% 13.0% 16.0% 48.7% 2013 PREJUDICE 5: 8.5% 10.2% 14.1% 14.6% 15.4% 45.7% 2016 30.6% 22.2% 15.1% 22.5% 2010 9.6% L E! PERMANENT fulltime TIME CONTRACTS 33.9% 21.3% 12.6% 11.0% 21.2% 2013 28.6% 19.8% 14.2% 10.6% 26.8% 2016 Vulnerability inFrance. Statistics 2003. Catholique, Reception 23 -Secours 21 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW 22 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW mobility divide. Statistics 2014.The Catholique, Reception 26 -Secours “INSEE Références”. Edition 2017,coll. income fromwork. unemployment, 25 -Work, 24 -Seeprejudice5. Despite this, they find ways to get to work or to find employment; they use up considerable energy by constantly adapting. Clearly, thesehourshaveanimpactasregardsmobilityforpeople whodonothaveacar. had staggeredorflexiblehours,particularlyatweekends(for27.9% ofeconomicallyactiveininsecuresituations). economically active people in insecure situations with permanent jobs, who responded to the survey, stated that they Between April and June 2015, Secours Catholique conducted a survey on mobility and transport Jobs thatcausemobilityproblems and occupationaltrainingareconcerned. unemployment benefitareevennarrower, particularlywhereinsecurejobs,suchasparttime,temporary, self-employed The difference in living standard of households in employment and households made up of unemployed people on origin (foreignnationalswithouttherighttowork) A major part of the economically inactive are not able to work, owing to their situation (inability, vagrancy) or their are nowlookingforjobs. older people are more often economically active than the general population. Women who previously stayed at home either workingorlookingforemployment.AmongstpeopleencounteredatSecoursCatholique,youngand We haveseenthatthemajority (52%)ofpeopleencounteredatSecoursCatholiqueareeconomicallyactive,and the socialsecuritysystemwhichencouragesdependency. According toarepresentativesurvey, 31%ofFrenchpeoplethinkthatonethemaincausespovertyinFranceis employed, whomakeupagrowingproportion,andpart-timeworkers:oneinthreewomenwork. At SecoursCatholiquewealsoencounterpeopleoncontractswhocanbeclassedasvulnerable,especiallytheself- secure jobisnotnecessarilyofgoodqualityorsufficientlyhighlypaidtomeethouseholdexpenses. These developmentsshowgreatfragility, evenamongstpeopleonpermanentorfixed-termfull-timecontracts.Soa contract) hasincreasedwith10%ofpeopleinthisemploymentsituationforoverfiveyears(7%2003). As shownbythetableabove,overalltimespentonafixed-termcontract(andnotdurationof signed byworkersencounteredSecoursCatholique:33.3%,against19.3%ofemployeesatnationallevelin2016 Part time, which has significantly increased since the beginning of the 2000s, is the type of contract most commonly An over-representation ofinsecurejobs When peoplemanagetofindajob,itisnotguaranteeofsatisfactorystandardliving. costs oftakingajob,liketransportorchildcare. for thoseworkingtemporarily, itis606euros.Thisdifferenceof76eurosseemsreallysmallcomparedwithpossible Unemployed peoplewhoreceivenounemploymentbenefithaveamedianstandardofliving530euros,whereas Standards oflivingaresometimeslowerwhenyouwork OT TOWORK THE POORPREFERnOT fA 24 PREJUDICE 6: . L SE ! 26 . Over athird of 25 . declining since2002,morerapidly2010,withaparticularlysharpdeclineamongstforeignnationals. and 68%ofFrench households. Analysis: RECEIVINGFAMILY ALLOWANCES FIGURE11.PERCENTAGE OFHOUSEHOLDSWITHAT LEASTTWOCHILDREN UNDER20YEARSOLD years, probablyreflectinganincreaseinfailuretoclaim. foreign nationalsthanforthoseofFrenchnationality. Anditseemstohaveseenadeclineforthepasttwoconsecutive nationals, tenantsorowneroccupiers The rate of claims for housing benefits amongst Secours Catholique’s French households or legally resident foreign family allowances French households or legally resident foreign nationals with at least two dependent children under the age of 20, receive estimated valueoffraudulentRSAclaimswas170millioneuros the failure to claim welfare benefits and to compareitwiththephenomenon of social security fraud In 2012,theObservatoryofnon-userightsandservices(Odenore)publishedadocumentaimedatinvestigating A higherincidenceoffailuretoclaimthanfraud from employmentandwellbelowpovertythresholds. Secours Catholique’s dataonincomesshowthatbenefitsreceivedbyhouseholdsaregenerallymuchlowerthanincome and 784eurosinDenmark. welfare benefits.InGermany, thisamountreachesparitywithapurchasingpower The study published by ATD Quart Monde in2016 Minimum socialbenefitsarenohigherinFrancethantherestofEurope two thinkthatthepriorityfortacklingpovertyshouldbetocombatsocialsecurityfraud. According toarepresentativesurvey, oneinfivepeoplethinksthatthelevelofsocialwelfareistoohigh,and own theiraccommodation. Scope: AllFrenchhouseholdsorforeignnationals withlegalstatusencounteredbySecoursCatholique,andwho eitherrentor 12. Source:SecoursCatholique. amongst foreignnationalswithlegal status,and82%amongstFrenchhouseholds. Analysis: In2002,80%ofhouseholdswithat leasttwochildrenunder20yearsoldreceivedfamilyallowances.This was74% Secours Catholique. Scope: 11. Source:SecoursCatholique. This is also what we see amongst eligible people in those encountered by Secours Catholique. In 2016, only 69% of either This isalsowhatweseeamongsteligiblepeopleinthoseencounteredbySecoursCatholique.In2016,only69%ofeither estimated at4.7billioneuros. insurance is estimated at 800million euros unpaid. And theamount of familyallowances not paid by CAFin2011was are eligible.Failuretoclaimuniversalsupplementaryhealthinsurance(CMU-C)andassistancewithadditional far greater. ThusforRSAalone,theobservatoryestimatesthateveryyear, 5.3billioneurosarenotpaidtothosewho is at the same level as the European average. Thus a single person in France receives an average of 655 euros in basic figure 12. 55% 65% 75% 85% 74% 80% 82% 2002 11. All Frenchhouseholdsorforeignnationalswithlegalstatus,atleast twochildrenunder20yearsoldencounteredby In 2002,67%ofowner-occupiers ortenantsreceived housingbenefits.Thiswas69% oflegallyresidentforeignnationals PERCENTAGE OFHOUSEHOLDS(TENANTSOROWNERS)RECEIVINGHOUSINGBENEFIT 2004 31 , therefore 31% do not receive them. The proportion of beneficiaries amongst those eligible has been , therefore31%donotreceivethem.Theproportionofbeneficiariesamongstthoseeligiblehasbeen 2006 THE POOR ARE BENEFIT SCROUNGERS AND FRAUDSTERS THE POORAREBENEFITSCROUNGERSANDFRAUDSTERS 2008

69% 82% 78% 2010 32 , hasbeenincreasingsince2002,andisupto77%.Itlower for householdsof 2012 Total faL 27 2014 shows that from the point of view of basic welfare benefits, France shows that fromthepoint of view of basic welfare benefits, France PREJUDICE 7: 57% 77% 69% 2016 Foreigners SE 68% 67% 69% 2002 12. 30 , thevalueoffailuretoclaimwelfarebenefitswas ! 2004 French 2006 28 of 772 euros, it is 699 euros in Belgium, of772euros,itis699eurosinBelgium, 2008 78% 74% 2010 77% 2012 29 2014 . Whilst the 79% 73% 77% 2016 aideau-logement pourbeneficier-d-une- sont-lesconditions- situation/quelles- droitsselon-votre- connaitre-vos- droits-et-prestations/ caf.fr/allocataires/ benefit: http://www. criteria forhousing 32 -Seeeligibility familiale/ montantallocation- www.aidesociale.fr/ allowances: https:// criteria forfamily 31 -Seeeligibility pdf document/18/21399. gouv.fr/pub/ diffusion.finances. proxy-pubminefi. 30 -Source:http:// 205 p. Découverte, 2012, benefits. ÉditionsLa of failuretoclaim fraud’. Thescandal opposite of‘benefit 29 -Odenore,The comparable. countries, sotheyare in eachofthe to thecostofliving adjusted according purchasing powerare expressed asparity 28 -Theamounts op. cit. the poorandpoverty, misconceptions about Putting anendto ATD QuartMonde, 27 -Mouvement 23 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW 24 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW ingenious andnecessaryadjustments,theycannotprovideforall theirneedswithoutsupport. food attheriskofbeingunabletopayrentorbills,resort aidtoavoidgettingintodebt.Becausedespite This shows clearly the choices which confront poor tenants or owners in order to survive: prioritise expenditure on households oftenantsorownerswhoareinarrears. we canimaginegomainlytowardspayingrentandenergybills.Inreality, theirstandardoflivingislowerthanthat So, manytenantsandowner-occupiers withnoarrearsrequestfoodaid.Mostofthemonlyreceivebenefits,which had tomakeothersacrifices. meagre resources,athirdoftenantsorownersmanagedtonotbeinarrears.Butmanagethis,itappearsthatthey The percentageofownersortenantswitharrearswas70%in2013,68%2015andreached67.4%2016.Despite Adjustments tocopewithcoststhataretoohigh This increaseinhousingcostsexplainstoagreatextentthelevelofarrearsSecoursCatholiquehouseholds. since thebeginningofdecade. households (comparedwith10%oftheexpenditurebetter-off households),haveseentheircostsincreasesharply Rents, energyandwaterbillswastedisposalcosts,whichaccountforalmost20%oftheexpenditurepoorest quickly thanfortherestofpopulation. to INSEE, the price of goods consumed by the poorest families has been increasing sharply since 2010, and more Faced withthistightbudget,thepooresthouseholdshavetodealhigherandexpenses.Infact,according The priceofgoodsconsumedbythepoorestgroupsisrisingfasterthanaverage parent ortwofamilies. of living as defined by ONPES. The disparity is particularly great for families with children, whether they are single The revenues of the vast majority of Secours Catholique households fall well short of providing a decent standard income bracketofthepopulation. shows clearly that the former have to contend with extremely tight budgets, which are, most often, in the lowest A comparison of the living standards of households encountered by Secours Catholique and the population in general Extremely tightbudgets Only 53%ofFrenchpeopleinterviewedduringthetravellinginitiativeclaimtobeshockedbythisstatement. (71%). Thosefromothercountrieshaveahigherrate(48%)thanFrenchhouseholds(32%). encountered bySecoursCatholique,foreignnationalsfromEUcountrieshaveaparticularlyhighrateoffailuretoclaim Similarly, in2016,therateoffailuretoclaimRSAincreasedcomparedwith2015from38%40%.Amongsthouseholds THE POOR DO NOT KNOW HOW TO MANAGE THEIR MONEY THE POORDONOTKNOWHOWTOMANAGETHEIRMONEY faL PREJUDICE 8: SE ! © STEVEN WASSENAAR / SCCF people detainedinprisonFontenay-le-Comte. conversation on thetheme ofprejudicestowhichtheymaybesubjected: groups from Dreux, MaurepasandParis and For thefirsttime,alongsidetheseanalysts,twogroupsofpeople withexperienceofvulnerabilitycontributedtothe Adeline Merceron(IFOP). analysis ofthestatisticalreport.Forthis2017editiontheywereAxelle Brodiez-Dolino(CNRS),FloreGubert(IRD)and For thesecondconsecutiveyearweaskedthreeresearchersorsocial commentatorstotakealookatthefindingsand FROM GROUPSOFPEOPLEINVULNERABLESITUATIONS FROM RESEARCHERSANDSOCIALCOMMENTATORS AND 3.Contributions 25 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 RECEPTION STATISTICS - OVERVIEW 26 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW I by SecoursCatholique lism, do notfade either through a wave of the hand or by numbers. Questions 6 and 7 of the survey conducted increasingly buffeted byworlddevelopments, inactivity andlabour;areregularlyreactivatedbypoliticalpopu- These mentalconstructs,whicharedeep-rootedinourhistory, alwaysdrawuponcentralvalues,which,though presence isseenasafoilintimesofeconomicdownturn. a kind of fantastic mirror image of our colonisation, who are always welcome in times of prosperity then whose between supplyanddemand,thatitwouldalways be possibletofindwork;thepoliticalrejection offoreigners, between workers;gradualcompassion fatigue andthefeeling,whichisatoddswith massiveimbalance reafter sincethe1970s,riseinunemploymentandinstabilityalsogivetoindebtednesscompetition Economic difficulties also play a role. During the depressions between 1870 and 1890 then in 1930, and the- and the preference for work, which may be difficult and under paid but is a source of family and social dignity. paucity ofentitlements,untenablerepaymentsincaseoverpayments,theshamebeingrecognisedaspoor, long remainedinvisible,hasalwaysbeenhuge:aconvergenceofcumbersomeandcomplexapplications,the failure toclaim,whichstillpervadesoursubconsciousminds.Andconsequently, thisfailuretoclaim,whichhas thise withthe“shamefulpoor”andmorally“deserving”, who refusetoaskforaid-an implicitapproval of belied by thefacts, that poorpeople would have children to obtain family allowances. Conversely, we sympa- modern socialwelfare,camefearofthe“profiteer”andfraudster;orabsurdidea,whichwasatonce dering theirresourcesondrinkandofmismanagingalltoomeagrebudgets.Thenfromthe1890s,with With theindustrialrevolutioncameurbanproletarianisation.Thepoorestbecamesuspectedofvices,squan- poleon: articlesofthepenalcode1810makingvagrancyandbegginganoffencewereonlyremovedin…1994. Europe: brandingwithhotirons,pillory, imprisonment,galleys,etc.ThistrendbecameenshrinedinlawunderNa- any work;thefirst,fromarea,second,migrantselsewhere.Drasticmeasuresweretakenthroughout the firstbeingincapableowingtotheirageoradisability, thesecondbeingperfectlycapableandrequiredtoaccept says that since the fall man must suffer and work, they forged this ongoing divide between “good” and “bad” poor: and seditious assemblies, the authorities hardened theirposition. Buoyed up by another biblical scripture which onto theroad,insearchofwork.Infearthesevagrants,whowerepotentialvehiclesfordisease,robbery, crime countryside, coupled with regular food shortages, wars and epidemics, drove a growing number of rural dwellers the end of the 13th century, population growth, then the fragmentation of land and the impoverishment of the through hissufferinganddeprivation,heallowedsocietytoreachsalvationgivingalms.However, from Axelle Brodiez-Dolino, CNRS-Centre Norbert Elias WHERE DOourPREJUDICESCOMEFROM? the poorforsociety?”(seeannex2,p.83of the report). 33 -Question6,“Whataretheconsequencesofprejudiceagainst thepoorforthemthemselves?”and7,“Whatareconsequencesofprejudiceagainst remains forustoalignourthoughtswithactions. turning stigmaintophysicalandpoliticalviolence).Thegoodnews isthattheFrenchareawareofit.So,it (low selfesteem,withdrawalandfeelingofinjustice)asforsocial cohesion(brokenbythesebarriersand At thebeginningofMiddleages,poorpersonwasusefulandvalued:consideredasaChristlikefigure ding theinfluencingfactors–betheypolitical, economic orsocial –canthereforehelptofightagainst them. ngrained insomeforcenturies,prejudicestowardsthemostdeprivedhavebeentakenasevidence.Understan- 33 , arefundamentalandconcernthecost,asmuchforthosewhosufferprejudices

O We arefedupwithalwayshaving tojustifyourselves. a wayofshowingthatwearenot...whataccusedbeing. “We arenottookeenonaddressing thisissue,becausethatmeansonceagainitisuswhohavetofind of peoplelivinginvulnerable situationsinordertogivethemavoice. 34 -Issueno2,Summer2017,p.11-13.L’Apostrophe isabiannualreviewcreatedin2016bySecours Catholique-CaritasFrance,andwritten withthehelp We shouldreadClaudine’s textinissuenumbertwoofL’Apostrophe broken, humiliated... Because of being considered less than nothing, they end up by believing it themselves. Being faced with negative judgements causes different reactions. Some people sink completely: they are does neverthelessarise. Beyond theseobjections,thequestionofprejudiceweighssoheavilyonshoulderspeoplethatit to gobackoverthingswhicharepainful.Ican’t doitanymore.Iprefertokeepquiet.” “We arealsofedupwithhavingtotalkaboutthingswhichdifficultgothrough,andconstantly robbery =‘allforeignersarepotentialrobbers’.” snap out of it to find a job becomes ‘all unemployed people are lazy’. One person of foreign nationality commits “The problemisthatpeoplemakegeneralisationsbasedonindividualcases:oneunemployedpersoncould they knoworthathaveheardabout.” or figures, people always find counter-arguments, which to a greater or lesser extent are supported by people All thatdiscussionsdoisconvincethosewhoarealreadyconvinced.Andevenwhenyoupresentevidence, both sides. Say topeople:comewithyourprejudices,meetus,letusdothingstogether, andattitudeswillchange,on and Paris A group of peoplesupported by Secours Catholique inDreux, Maurepas DOWN: WHENNOBODYNEEDSYOU” “FINALLY, THAT ISWHAT BRINGSYOU a terribleviciouscircle!” getting outofwhatyourebukethemforwithoutunderstanding them. Becausethatbothersyou,itbecomes pull through.Aslongaspeoplefeelhumiliated,letgo,abandoned, misjudged,youarepreventingthemfrom on, evenwhenarelapsethreatens,wenolongerbelieve initourselves,whichgivesthechanceto into their depression and their old ruts, whereas it is understanding, trust, an outstretched hand which holds “… The more afraid you are, the more you look down on people from your prejudices, you force them down needed isforustorefuseputpeopleinboxes.Theyarealways differenttowhatwethink.” We all have prejudices: when you meet someone for the first time, you imagine all sorts of things... What is As forme,whenIamnotconfidentorpeopledon’t trust me, it’s over, Iamstuck. further. Ihave sufferedalotbecauseofthisanditstillstayswithmenow. Thisislargelyaquestionoftrust. (parents, teachers,socialworkers,peoplewhogreetthepublicinoffices…)andsomedriveyoudowneven my lifeandhasgivenmecomplexes…especiallyastherearepeoplewho,intheory, aretheretohelpus “I amclumsyandIfinditdifficulttounderstand,needlongerthanothers...thishasbeenwithmethroughout are different.Whenyouakid,it’s terrible!” laughing andtobeleftout.Beingdifferentisn’t aprobleminitself:itisotherswhomakeyoufeelthat “I rememberdifficulttimesinmylife.Asachild,Iwasn’t liketheothers.Itishardtowatchothersplayingand discussions devotedtoprejudicewasquitecautious: ne of the first reactions of the members of groups supported by Secours Catholique to the suggestion of Jean-Luc, inL’Apostrophe, issueno2,summer2017 34 .

27 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW 28 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW create wallsofincomprehensionbetweenpeople. understand therationaleofothersisimportant,otherwiseweremain stuckinourwayofseeingthingsand is encountersthatenableustoleavebehindtheprejudicesweallhavetowardeachother. Beingableto remain onthefringes...andyetwearelikeafamily, becausewehavelearnedtoknoweachother. Finally, it In ourgroupweareallverydifferent.We couldhavehadallkindsofreasonsnottounderstandeachother, to believing thatyouareworthnothingandhavetooffer…Andafterawhile,giveup.” to allhavethesameplaceorroleinsociety. Butitisessentialtohaveone,otherwiseyouendup Everyone brings(orcouldbring,iftheyweren’t prevented)theirbricktothebuilding[…]wearenotsupposed A roleinsociety, ause.[…] with a real contribution. Rather than talking about place, it is perhaps about a role that we should be speaking. “Finding yourplaceinsociety, itmeansbeingrecognisedasafullyfledgedcitizen,havingyoursay, andarole “In theend,thatiswhatbringsyoudown:whennobodyneedsyou.” “I amsickofgettingupinthemorningandknowingthatmylifeisnousetoanyone…“ thumbs. Quitethecontrary, theyaredyingfromfeelinguseless,orratherconsideredthus: Testimonies pourin,whichruncountertotheideathatmostpeopleinvulnerablesituationstwiddletheir same opportunitiesfromthestart.Thatisoneofprejudiceswhichmustbecondemned.” It is untrue, completely unjust and intolerable for those who cannot take any more or who did not have the using theexplanationofmerit. convenient: itremovesguiltfromthosewhocomeoutthebest.We justifythefactthatthereisinequalityby It feedsthefantasyofmerit:thosewhopullthroughwouldbeonesdeserveto…isbasically head rightunderwaterwhenyouarealreadydrowning! fault thattheyarewhereare,allneedtodoismove,makeaneffort...thingswhichpushyour “Also, whenyousaytopeoplethatisaquestionofwill-power, ofcourage,youaretellingthemthatitistheir You nolongerbelievethatanythingelsecanexist. Poverty islikedepression;itlocksyouupanddrainsofallyourstrength. of it,itdoesn’t work...allthespringsarebroken.[…] you becomeexhausted,makemattersworseforyourself.Itisallwellandgoodtosay:getup,snapout For manypeople,courage,will-power, itisjusthotair, itisbeyondtheirpowers.Will-poweralonenotenough; if itevenexists… of courageaftertheevent…inmoment,wegothroughhellandwonderwhereisendtunnel, Others havegotthroughbecausetheyfought,withgreatwill-powerandcourage…Butweonlytalk survive intheseconditions. are aminority, buttheydoexistthoughitwouldbemisleadingtospeakofprofiteers,sinceyoucanonlyjust In fact,therearepeoplewhocouldrolluptheirsleevesanddomorethanwaitinthequeueatcharities.They These statementshavebeenhotlydebatedforsometime,beforereachingacommonposition: not shiftthemselvesormakeanyeffort.To getthrough,youhavetofightandnotexpecteverythingfromothers.” “ Itiscourage and will-power that help you to make itthrough! Too many people settle forbeing assisted and do until Ihavewalkedamileinhisshoes.” it shouldprovidefoodforthoughteveryone:“DearLord,grantmethatInevercriticisemyneighbour One statementstruckus,whenwebegantoreflectuponprejudices...it comesfromfarawaybutwebelieve on youfortheirownbenefit...butothersitisalsoheaven... when youfeelthatreallyexistforthem. Sometimes, wesaythathellisotherpeople...andthereforethere arebadpeoplewhoreadytotrample Extracts fromL’Apostrophe, issueno1,Autumn2016 O there andthepresenceofrelativeswhotheycanturntofor supportandadvice. is lessaboutsocialsecuritybenefitsthattheyhopetoobtain thanaboutthechanceoffindingajob Furthermore, therefugeecrisishasshownveryclearly:preference ofrefugeesforagivendestination than another on therelative generosity ofthe social security systemsturnsout to besomewhat invalid. we observeinothercountriesoftheOECD preceding (back as far as 1979). In this way, France is in an entirely comparable situation with what not onlyfortheyear2011,whichwasbaselineauthors’calculations,butallyears contributes relativelylessthananativeFrenchperson.Anotherimportantpoint:thisresultisvalid Thus the effect of this structure clearly offsets the fact that each immigrant of economically active age that isintheagegroupsbetween25and60yearsold. population, thereareaproportionatelygreaternumberofthemintheagegroupswhereitispositive, that even if the individual net contributionof immigrants is on average lower than thatof the native estimates betweenamaximumof+0.20%GDPandminimum–0.22%.Infact,theyexplain two sub-populations,immigrationhasanoverallneutralimpactonFrenchpublicfinances,based native population.Thetwoauthorsthenshowthatifyoutakeintoaccountthestructurebyageof Beyond theageof60,however, theirnetcontributionisnegative,butless so thanisthecasefor outside theEuropeanUnion. it isappreciablylowerthanthatofthenativepopulation,particularlyforimmigrantsfromcountries mically activeage(thedifferencebetweenwhattheypayandreceive)ispositive,butthat different ages,thetwoeconomistsshowthatindividualnetcontributionofimmigrantsecono- statutory deductionswhichtheypay(taxonrevenue,TVA, socialsecuritycontributions,CSG,etc.)at transfers, education,health,retirement,etc.)withthecontributionthattheymakethroughvarious By comparing very precisely the benefits which immigrants draw from the state welfare system (social Ragot case? SomerecentstudiesdoneonthecaseofFrance,notablythoseXavierChojnickiandLionel public opinionoftenperceivesforeignnationalsasbeingaburdenonsocialservices.Isthisreallythe the native population, less often in employment and (sometimes) with a larger number of children, public financesofthecountriesthatreceivethem.Becausetheyareonaveragelessqualifiedthan ver, thisdoesn’t altogetherdealwiththemoregeneralquestiononburdenofimmigration the ideathatforeignnationalsmayprofitfromFrenchsocialsecuritysystemisunfounded.Howe- Development (IRD) Fl OUR SOCIALSERVICES? ARE FOREIGNNATIONALS ABURDENON 36 -OECD:OrganisationforEconomicCooperation andDevelopment. 35 -SeeXavierChojnickiandLionelRagot,“L’incidence fiscaledel’immigration”,Informationssociales 2016/3(no194),p.38-48. The theoryaccordingtowhichmigrantswouldmainlybasetheirdecisiongoonecountryrather ore Gubert households of foreign nationals who do not receive benefits to which they are entitled. Therefore, ne ofthelessonsfromSecoursCatholique’s 2017statisticalreportisthattherearemanyvulnerable 35 , underminethisperception. , director of research at theInstitute of Research for 36 . 29 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW 30 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW T “You don’t alwaysseethepersoninsameway:fromcloseuporafar…bynightday…When A questionofoutlook? labelled.” “Someone thatIknowcriticisessomeoneelse,andstraightaway, Iseethatpersonasbad,ifhehadbeen person well.” “For me,aprejudiceispreconceivedideaofpeople,period.Mostoftenitbecauseyoudon’t knowthe However, detaineesconsiderthatthissituationisreversible: This cancauseundueharm:“Aprejudiceisajudgementthatbeharmful.” possible tothinkotherwise...Itisaclassicsituation.” “When you think of somebody as responsible for an act, it is in your head, you can only see that, it is no longer word prejudiceiscoupledwithanegativeview…andthatdefinitelyappliestooursituationasprisoner!” “ ‘Rarelypositive’:evenifyousometimeshaveapositiveprejudicetowardssomeone,mostofthetime, Prisoners knowthattheyarevictimsofprejudice: families, bothinsideandoutsidetheprison. association depends on a network of 2,000 volunteers throughout the country, to work with prisoners and their Catholique focusesasapriorityonthepoorest,whohavebeensubjectedtojudgementalongway. The tions, housing,income…).True toitsprinciplesofanunconditional and non-judgementalwelcome,Secours made upofpeoplewhoareexcludedowingtovariousdifficulties(health,culture,employment,family, rela- Beyond casescoveredbythemedia,vastmajorityofpeopleinprison,hiddenparticeberg,are judgement, mistake,label,prejudice,rarelypositive,preconceivedidea,ignorance,look,injustice… A wordofhopefromadetainee,takenEuropeanquestionnaire onprison-justice “You havetoovercomeyourfearofothers.” So whatcanbedone? you look ‘fromafar’...itisoftenmorethreatening;in fact aprejudicegenerallystemsfromnot looking closely.” encountered by theprison’s Catholic chaplaincy andSecours Catholique People detained intheprisonat Fontenay-le-Comte (Vendée), LOOKING CLOSELY” “IN FACT PREJUDICESTEMSFROMNOT wide prisonrules.(RPE). consequently movetowardsreintegration.This approachalsoaimstomakedifferentEuropeangovernments understandthatitispossibletoapplyEurope- as toprisonadministrationsandassociationsthat workinprisons.Theobjectiveistoidentify, atEuropeanlevel,actionstoempower detainees and 37 -SecoursCatholique-CaritasFrancewasbehind aquestionnairedevisedwithseveralEuropeanpartners in2016andaddressedtodetaineesaswell of thisthatpreconceptionsandprejudicesaboutprisonwillchange.” “I thinkthatgoingintoaprisonisdifficultinitselfbecauseyoudon’t comeoutquitethesame,anditisbecause prejudice. Duringabrainstorming,theyspontaneouslymentionedthefollowingwords:criticism,mistrust, he wordsbelowcomefromagroupofprisonerswhospokeduringanorganiseddiscussiononthetopic 37 : … andwhichseriouslyimpactthemoraleofFrenchtheirviewsociety more than31millionFrenchwhomayfeelconcernedorthreatenedbypoverty. 43 -https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/files-fr-fr/doc_associe/rapport-d-etude_perils-of-perception-2016.pdf 42 -http://www.ifop.fr/media/poll/3704-1-study_file.pdf 41 -http://www.ifop.com/?option=com_publication&type=poll&id=3600 insee.fr/fr/statistiques/1892086?sommaire=1912926). 40 -On1January2017,accordingtoINSEE,France hadapopulationofalmost67millionpeople,which 52millionareaged18andover(https://www. 39 -https://www.ipsos.com/fr-fr/plus-dun-tiers-des-francais-deja-fait-lexperience-de-la-pauvrete-un-moment-de-sa-vie 38 -http://www.inegalites.fr/spip.php?page=article&id_article=1648&id_rubrique=123&id_groupe=9&id_mot=76 day bySecoursCatholiqueanddescribedindetailthepagesofthisreport.AtendJune2017 the Institute of PublicOpinionandCorporate Strategy (IFOP) Adeline Merceron, account manager, responsible for social studiesat PERCEPTIONS ANDTRUEREALITY? OPINIONS ONPOVERTY: BETWEEN The study “Perils of Perception A breedinggroundforthedevelopmentofprejudices atmosphere whichleadstoaninwardlookingresponse. Perceived andexperiencedpoverty, aswellthegrowthinperceivedinequality, tendtogiveriseatense only 9%“confident”and6%“enthusiastic”. French society, 42%ofFrenchpeopledeclaredthemselves“appalled”,23%“indifferent”,20%“resigned”, surprising thatinMarch2017 sing power(15%).Inthisgloomyclimate,inwhichtheperceptionofinequalitygrowsrelentlessly, itishardly regarding thefightagainstpovertyandexclusion(20%),reductionintaxes(17%)anincreasepurcha- deteriorated further, withlessthanoneinfiveFrenchpeopleexpectingprogress onthepartofgovernment thinking aboutthefuture.Oneconomicandsocialfronts,wenotedthatalreadylowlevelsofconfidence, that only 28%ofFrenchpeople declared themselves to be optimistic forthemselves or theirchildrenwhen years, theyhavebeenlivinginaheightenedstateofwidespreadpessimism.InJanuary2017 Faced with this reality which (rightly or not) affects many French people, it is not very surprising that for several recipients offoodaid.”ThesearethefindingsObservatoryoninequalityin2017 “ A perceptionandanexperienceofpovertywhichsurpassobjectivedata... and whichcomplicatesthefightagainstdifficultiesare actually realandaffectmanyFrenchpeople. and theinformationwhichisissued.Thatmeanstoputanend thisunhealthyspiralwhichishardtobreak which (inpart)feedthisclimateofmistrust,weneedtokeepaclose eyeonthemessageswhichareoutthere prejudice comes“fromeveryoneofus”.Alsotoguardagainstand combatthespreadofthesemisconceptions Yet, asthestudypublishedbySecoursCatholique(Travelling InitiativeMCQ),highlights,for73%ofrespondents resounding electoralupheavalsin2016withtheelectionofDonaldTrump andthevoteinfavourofBrexit”. a questionof“elementswhich,combinedwithpersistenteconomiccrisisanddistrust ofinstitutions,haveseen feed thisgeneralpessimism,whichcanresultinconcreteevents.Thus, astheauthorsofstudyunderline,itis social inequality, theyneverthelessstillclearlyoverestimateit.Inthiscontext,prejudicestendtostrengthenand interviewed isoftenmorenegativethanwhatweseeinreality. IfFrenchpeopleareabitclosertorealityregarding of toleranceorintoleranceregardingdifferentaspectsthelevelsocialinequality, thejudgementofpeople share a very grim view of the situation in their countries. As regards theirperception of the future, of society’s degree seems. This investigation confirms that the citizens of virtually all the countries studied, especially western countries, the tendency(whichisnotexclusivetoFrance)getcaughtinadownwardspiralwhichmorenegativethanit was tomeasuretheextentofdifferencebetweencitizens’perceptionsandobjectiverealityfacts,shows exceeds thepublishedfigures.AccordingtolatestdataonFrenchpopulationprovidedbyINSEE threat ofpoverty. Bywayofextrapolation,thisfeelingorexperiencebeingconcernedthreatenedbypovertyfar just afewmonthsago,almostsixoutof10Frenchpeople(57%)thoughtthattheirdailylifewasaffectedbyorunder poverty (37%),andoneinfive(20%)statedthattheyhadbeenafraidofit,withoutactuallyexperiencingit.Thus, out ofeveryfiveFrenchpeopleaged15andoverreportedthattheyhad,atsomepointintheirlives,experienced France has 2.3 million people living on less than 672 euros per month, 4 million in poor housing and 1.9 million 43 ” (“Perception vs. reality”) published in November 2016 in 40 countries, whose objective ” (“Perception vs. reality”) published in November 2016 in 40 countries, whose objective 42 , wheninvitedtodescribetheirstateofmindregardingthecurrent 38 , a reality witnessed every , arealitywitnessedevery 41 , IFOPassessed 39 , almost two , almosttwo 40 , there are , thereare 31 Secours catholique-caritas france / 2016 service STATISTICS - OVERVIEW secours-catholique.org

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