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%).