It takes at least € 1,424 a month to live decently – BBC

The annual report of the National Poverty and Social Exclusion Observatory points out that more than half of single parent families are poor.

To make a decent living in social housing, in a small town like Dijon and Tours, one person needs at least a minimum wage to live. The National Observatory of Poverty and Social Exclusion (ONPES) has published its annual report. The paper shows the results of a survey conducted for three years to assess the “reference budgets” needed to “effective participation in social life.” This study is part of a reflection at European level to determine a “decent minimum income”.

Accommodation, eat and move

The experts first determined baskets of goods and services considered essential by querying the population. On housing, families have claimed, for example the provision of a room for each different sex and child over 6 years. Retirees have meanwhile asked a guest. The groups surveyed also agreed on the need to own a car (used), and to go on holiday (two weeks per year for assets with children, one week for retirees and active without children). They also considered important to practice cultural and sports activities, invite friends and offer gifts. About food, groups proposals were the subject of an expert from nutritionists. Spending on clothing and personal hygiene were also taken into account.

Added together, all of these costs have helped draw multiple profiles. The budget for a decent life is so 1424 euros per month for a single active person. To recap, the minimum wage is 1457 euros gross. If it is housed in the private park, the amount required is Euro 1571 . Asset childless couples should have 1985 euros ( 2133 private ) . A household with two children needs 3284 euros if it lives in social housing and 3515 in the private park. For single-parent families with two children the minimum budget is 2599 euros in social housing and 2830 in the private. Finally, for retirees, a couple must have at least 2187 euros ( 2437 in private).

Poor parent families

These profiles were used to determine the share of households that are in tight financial situation. Thus, according to the study, single parents are either so-called poor (55%) or have insufficient means to live decently (40%). 14% of single pensioners are poor, 45% in risk restrictions. 12% of couples with two children live below the poverty line (60% of the median standard of living is 987 euros per month), and nearly a quarter have to impose restrictions. Only 12% of assets childless couples in this situation (5% below the poverty line, 7% led to renounce certain goods and services considered necessary to live decently). This is the difficulty in the text category.