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Health at the top of the list of concerns of the world

Health is this year "the first subject of concern for the French", ahead of purchasing power, which was in the lead in 2023, or immigration -- ranked sixth on a par with other themes -- according to an Ipsos poll for the EESC, published on Wednesday.

When 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 country's economic and financial situation (28%, +5 points), and the political situation (24%, not measured last year).


Immigration comes in sixth (18%, constant), on a par with geopolitical instability or the future of the pension system.


After two years of record inflation, price increases are becoming more contained again (2%), but the French are struggling to make ends meet: 32% say they are barely able to meet their basic needs and 13% are not.


In terms of accessibility to public services, one in two French people denounces difficult access to care, and even 59% among the inhabitants of agglomerations of less than 20,000 people.


The EESC highlights significant "inequalities", particularly in health. Several departments in the overseas regions, Hauts-de-France, Grand Est and Centre combine "a lower life expectancy at 60 years old and a higher number of years lived in poor health".


Men in the top 5 percent live 13 years longer than the poorest 5 percent of men, a gap that has been reduced to 8 years for women.


However, less access to services "has a negative impact on attachment to democracy", the EESC notes. Health at the top of the list of concerns of the world


Thus "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," the survey points out.


And "one in two French people believe that only a strong and centralized power can guarantee order and security (51%)".


As for their participation in the life of society, the French are in Favour of getting involved in an association (35% of those surveyed are volunteers, 43% among retirees), rather than in a trade union or a professional organization (12%) or a political party (7%).

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