The number of social minima recipients in France, which had increased by 4.4% in 2020 due to the Covid-19 crisis, fell by 3.4% in 2021, notes the statistical service of social ministries in a study released Wednesday. This drop is even more marked for the RSA: the number of households receiving active solidarity income fell by 6.2% in one year, after an increase of 7.4% in 2020, indicates the DREES. At the end of 2021, the RSA was received by 1.93 million households, i.e. 3.87 million people or 5.7% of the French population.
The specific solidarity allowance (ASS, received by unemployed people at the end of their rights), experienced a comparable evolution, with an increase of 0.9% in beneficiaries in 2020, followed by a decrease of 9.3% in 2021 It was perceived at the end of 2021 by 321,900 people.
The minimum old age sees its numbers continue to grow
The minimum old age, on the other hand, saw its workforce continue to grow by 3.4%, but less than in 2020 (+5.6%). As for the beneficiaries of the allowance for disabled adults (AAH), their number increased by 1.2% in 2021, its lowest annual growth rate since 2007, observes the DREES.
The sharp decline in the number of RSA recipients led in 2021 to a 3.2% drop in constant euros (-1.6% in current euros) in total expenditure related to social minima, which had jumped by 6.9% during the first year of the Covid epidemic.
Finally, the DREES notes a slight increase (0.9%) in the number of beneficiaries of the activity bonus, paid to low-income workers. At the end of 2021, 4.62 million households benefited from it, i.e. 9.06 million people (or 13.4% of the population) taking into account spouses and dependents.