What is the quality of life in France?
France performs well across a number of well-being dimensions relative to other countries in the Better Life Index. France outperforms the average in work-life balance, safety, social connections and civic engagement. These assessments are based on available selected data.
With perks such as universal healthcare and a law-protected 1-hour long lunch break, it's unsurprising that France, one of the seven most significant economies in the world, ranks among the best countries to live by quality of life measures.
The Quality of Life in France is Excellent! In France, the quality of life is incomparable, and it's not just about the breathtaking scenery or the rich history. It's also about the work-life balance, universal healthcare, and the emphasis on enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
France's average standard of living is one of the highest in the world and is still rising. The structure of consumption reflects this, with housing expenditure now the number one item in the household budget ahead of food and transport and telecommunication costs.
A usual day would finish around 6 pm. During the week, evening hours are spent relaxing at home, doing homework, watching television, or reading books. Dinner is typically eaten between 7 pm and 8 pm, when all of the family is home together. However, the weekend is completely for family time.
But in reading a more recent survey it was deemed that the French are happy. A study by the Elabe Institute showed that '68 percent of respondents said they were happy, and a third (32 percent) even said they were “very happy”.
You must have health insurance cover to live in France. State healthcare in France is not free. Healthcare costs are covered by both the state and through patient contributions. These are known as co-payments.
While living in France isn't cheap, the average French salary is also higher than in most European countries. In 2022, the average salary in France was €2,340 net per month. Usually, the average salary changes proportionally to the city's average cost of living.
The truth is that English proficiency in France is one of the lowest in Western Europe. So while you may come across some French people who know basic or good English, the number of French people who know and are willing to talk in English and the areas where you'll hear English are limited.
The annual population growth in France increased by 0.01 percentage points (+3.85 percent) in 2022 in comparison to the previous year. In total, the population growth amounted to 0.27 percent in 2022. This increase was preceded by a declining population growth.
Is homeless a problem in France?
Homelessness in France is a significant social issue that is estimated to affect around 300,000 people - a figure that has doubled since 2012 (141,500) and tripled since 2001 (93,000).
How much do people earn in France? According to the data from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), the average gross salary in France in 2023 was approximately 39,800 euros. This is one of the highest figures among EU countries. Furthermore, the level of earnings is constantly increasing.
![What is the quality of life in France? (2024)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CTxBbvtPN3c/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCNAFEJQDSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLBTt7Lzz9tLUzQvmuX3BmRGWotMYA)
Lower mortality rates at younger ages result in longer life expectancy. French life expectancy is higher than that of the United States for a variety of reasons, including: Healthcare: France has a universal healthcare system that provides access to affordable healthcare for all citizens.
This graph presents the distribution of bedtime hour during the week among French in 2019. It displays that 33 percent of respondents declared going to bed between 11 pm and 12 pm on weekdays.
Just by looking at French houses you'll notice some differences right away. French houses are largely built from concrete or bricks, making them better-insulated than American ones, which tend to be built from wood (this will come in handy since the French hardly use air conditioning!).
"Cooking / baking" and "Traveling" are the top two answers among French consumers in our survey on the subject of "Most popular hobbies & activities". The survey was conducted online among 12,171 respondents in France, in 2023.
The constitution and law provide for the freedom of association, and the government generally respected this right. In July 2021, parliament approved the Upholding Republican Values law, which gives authorities broad powers to monitor and close religious organizations and groups.
Paris, the best place to meet new friends
Just behind it, Toulouse, Lyon and Montpellier rank as the cities where making new friends is easiest. The pink city has 6,112 nightclubs, Lyon 484 bars, and the seaside city of Montpellier welcomes residents and tourists in some 3,000 leisure clubs.
Table manners are highly regarded in France. Thus, there are a number of practices one should observe when with a French counterpart. You are expected to pass dishes around and to hold a dish so your neighbour can retrieve some of the meal. When one begins a meal, they typically say “bon appétit” (enjoy your meal).
Tuition fees are low in public Higher education institutions because the French government subsidizes higher education. The true cost of education is the same as it is elsewhere in the world—around €10,000 a year. The difference is that in France the government assumes a large share of that cost.
Who has best healthcare in the world?
Healthcare System Performance Ranking
Key findings: “The top-performing countries overall are Norway, the Netherlands, and Australia. The United States ranks last overall, despite spending far more of its gross domestic product on health care.
Both residents and non-residents can see a doctor in France, with the only difference being out-of-pocket costs. A routine consultation costs between €25 and €55, depending on the specialty of the doctor and treatment. The state covers 70% of this cost for French residents, but not for tourists or visitors.
In general, a good salary for a comfortable life in France is €3,200 for a single person or €5,600 for someone supporting a family of 3. Cities like Paris, Nice, and Lyon have higher living costs than the other French cities.
Average monthly rent of housing rental by size in France 2021. On a national level, French people spent an average of 851 euros to rent a house in 2021 and an average of 435 euros for a studio or a one room apartment. Both figures take charges of a rented accommodation into account.
You may be happy to know France does not currently have restrictions against buying property as a foreigner. However, the process may be trickier for you than for French residents. You will have to deal with a lot of due diligence and paperwork. A French property lawyer can assist with this.
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