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Health constitutes this year “the first subject of concern of the French”, ahead of purchasing power which was at the top in 2023 or immigration – ranked sixth on a par with other themes – according to an Ipsos survey for the EESC, published Wednesday.
Asked about the “three subjects that concern them the most”, 40% of French people select “their health and that of their loved ones” (+3 points compared to 2023), and even 42% within disadvantaged socio-professional categories ( CSP-), according to the survey commissioned by the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE).
This is followed by purchasing power (34%, -6 points), the economic and financial situation of the country (28%, +5 points), and the political situation (24%, not measured last year).
Immigration comes sixth (18%, constant), tied with geopolitical instability or the future of the pension system.
After two years of record inflation, the rise in prices is becoming more contained again (2%), but the French are struggling to make ends meet: 32% declare that they are barely able to meet their essential needs and 13% do not fail to do so.
In terms of accessibility to public services, one in two French people denounce difficult access to care, and even 59% among residents of urban areas of less than 20,000 people.
The EESC highlights significant “inequalities”, particularly in health. Several departments in the Overseas, Hauts-de-France, Grand Est and Center regions have “a lower life expectancy at age 60 and a higher number of years lived in poor health”.
Men among the wealthiest 5% live 13 years longer than the poorest 5% of men, a gap reduced to 8 years among women.
The fact remains that less access to services “has a negative impact on attachment to democracy”, notes the CESE.
So “15% of French people say they would not be ready to defend democracy if it were in danger“, notes the study, and “more worryingly, 23% are not convinced that it is the best political system in existence“Among those least attached to democracy, “young people and disadvantaged people are largely over-represented“, points out the survey.
And “one in two French people believe that only strong and centralized power can guarantee order and security (51%)“.
As for their participation in the life of society, the French favor involvement in an association (35% of respondents are volunteers, 43% among retirees), rather than in a union or a professional organization (12%) or a political party (7%).