Recent data from the Drees reveals that in 2022, France’s pension systems distributed 353 billion euros to about 17.9 million retirees. The average monthly pension was 1,786 euros, but significant gender disparities persist, with women’s pensions averaging 1,268 euros compared to 2,050 euros for men. Additionally, 49% of women receive less than 1,000 euros gross monthly. While the wealthiest retirees enjoy much higher pensions, many in northern regions and overseas areas earn below the national average.
Understanding the Pension Landscape for Retirees in France
Curious about how your pension stacks up against other retirees? Recent statistics released by the Directorate of Research, Studies, Evaluation, and Statistics (Drees) on October 30 offer valuable insights. In 2022, French pension schemes disbursed a staggering total of 353 billion euros to retirees, benefiting approximately 17.9 million individuals. Out of these, around 17 million received a “direct entitlement” pension based on their contributions, while 4.4 million were recipients of survivor’s pensions following the loss of their spouse.
Average Pension Amounts and Gender Disparities
So, what can retirees expect in terms of monthly payouts? According to the Drees report, the average pension in 2022 stood at 1,786 euros gross per month, translating to about 1,662 euros after social contributions (CSG, CRDS, and Casa). This figure encompasses both direct entitlement pensions (retirement) and derived entitlement pensions (survivor’s pensions). For direct entitlement pensions specifically, which are received by 17 million individuals, the average gross amount is 1,626 euros, or 1,512 euros net after deductions.
However, averages can be misleading, as significant disparities exist, particularly between genders. In 2022, the average gross direct entitlement pension for women in France was just 1,268 euros per month, starkly contrasting with the 2,050 euros received by their male counterparts. This means women’s pensions are 38% lower than men’s, although this gap has narrowed from a peak of 50% in 2004, thanks to rising activity rates and salaries among women. Notably, women represent the majority of survivor’s pension beneficiaries, with 32% of women receiving direct entitlement pensions also qualifying for survivor’s pensions, compared to only 6% of men. When factoring in survivor’s pensions, the gender gap slightly diminishes to 26%, yet the average monthly pension for women remains significantly lower at 1,539 euros compared to 2,077 euros for men.
In terms of the highest earners, the top 1% of retirees enjoy an average pension of 6,500 euros. Alarmingly, 49% of women receive direct entitlement pensions of less than 1,000 euros gross, compared to just 15% of men. More than one-third of retirees (34%) in France fall below this crucial threshold, highlighting the stark disparities in retirement income. Only 8% of pensioners receive more than 3,000 euros gross per month, with a mere 1% benefiting from pensions exceeding 5,150 euros monthly, averaging around 6,470 euros. This elite group is predominantly located in Île-de-France, where pension amounts significantly surpass national averages—by 39% in Paris, 36% in Hauts-de-Seine, 35% in Yvelines, and 22% in Essonne. Conversely, pension amounts lag behind the national average in northern and northeastern France, as well as in the Massif Central and overseas departments and regions (DROM), as highlighted in the report.