Secours Catholique Calls for Ambitious Poverty Policies Ahead of 2027 French Election

Six months before France's 2027 presidential election, Secours Catholique - Caritas France (SCCF) released a pivotal report spotlighting the country's poverty crisis and urging a shift towards comprehensive and ambitious anti-poverty policies. The report, published on October 27, 2026, challenges political narratives that blame poverty solely on individual responsibility and highlights the complexity of poverty beyond mere financial hardship.

A survey by OpinionWay conducted in April 2026 reveals stark public perceptions: 84% of respondents say it is difficult to escape poverty, while 80% believe poverty has worsened over the past decade. However, many respondents misunderstand key facts — for example, the official poverty threshold set by INSEE at 60% of median income (€1,350 in 2025) is underestimated by public opinion, which averages it at €1,066. Additionally, 42% overestimate the poverty rate, believing 20% of the population is affected, whereas the true figure stood at 15.4% in 2024.

The report underscores that poverty touches diverse lived experiences, noting that in 2025, SCCF aided over one million people, including many foreign nationals and single mothers. It critiques current social minima: 64% of people feel these do not allow a dignified life, and 63% think they discourage employment. SCCF advocates for a policy shift from simply managing poverty to actively combating it through improved access to housing, employment support, and social rights for foreigners.

Emphasizing social justice and human dignity, SCCF calls for ambitious and inclusive policies to protect society as a whole, rather than punitive or minimal interventions. Their findings are poised to influence the social policy debate ahead of the critical 2027 election, framing poverty as a complex societal challenge demanding robust government action.