Health, money, retirement: the French depend upon themselves above all

French people’s confidence in the State and their national healthcare system has declined by 4 percentage points

Confidence in the French authorities and the national healthcare system continues to decline. Only one out of every four French people now considers the State and its healthcare system to be their most effective sources of protection, a level that has declined by 4 percentage points since last year.

More focused on their private circle, the French are increasingly relying on people close to them (family and friends) to help them overcome their health-related problems (64% confidence), just ahead of mutual insurance companies and complementary health organizations (63% confidence).

On the question “Should we rely chiefly on ourselves or on the State to protect us in the event of health problems?,” the ratios have reversed their relative positions over the past three years. In 2022, 47% of respondents said they relied more on the State; today, the figure has dropped by 11 points to just 36%. Conversely, in 2022, 45% of those questioned said they counted more on themselves while, today, the proportion has risen to 57%, a 12-point increase.

Unfortunately, this reversal of confidence goes hand-in-hand with the expression of a certain unease among the French: 57% say they are worried about their health in the future, a percentage that has risen by 5 points in the space of 3 years.

Anticipating “difficult times”

Already strongly disposed to put money aside, the French have no intention of stopping saving. One out of 2 French people say that, in 2024, they will save as much as they did in 2023, and 2 out of 10 say they will save more. This behavior reflects a desire to “protect themselves”: 56% plan to keep this money to build up a “financial cushion” in the event of hard times ahead.

Reflecting their penchant for caution, 40% of the French are investing in particular in real estate (+3 points vs. 2023) while 24% have opted for life insurance. At the same time, 35% are saving for their retirement and 31% to help their children.

Lastly, in their investment decisions, the French are looking for safer (42%) and more profitable (34%) savings, well ahead of investments based on ethical criteria (only 6%).