Do you know what it is to be rich? Perhaps it is easier to identify what poverty is; this being regularly documented and quantified in France. There is indeed a poverty line, set at 60% of the median salary in France. As a reminder, the median salary differs from the average: it corresponds to the salary capable of dividing the country into two equal parts. 50% get more and the rest have to deal with less. In 2021, informs the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee), it stood at 1,102 euros.

It is clear, however, that the measurement of wealth is the subject of more controversy. The question interests many experts who have, for many, tried the exercise. However, it is more complex to arrive at a consensual answer. Recently, it was the Observatory of Inequalities which precisely addressed the question, with the help of the second edition of its report on the rich in France, which Planet has already had the opportunity to talk about.

According to the experts of the organization, an individual can legitimately be considered rich from 3,673 euros of salary, after charge and tax. Based on this measurement, it therefore appears that 4.5 million French men and women are rich. A questionable answer, perhaps, and contested… But which nevertheless allows us to paint the portrait of a certain France.

The Observatory also identifies the cities where the greatest number of wealthy households have chosen to live. More information about this in our slideshow, which you will find below.