1 in 5 French people are considered rich according to the Observatory of Inequalities!

The notion of wealth is complex to define, because it varies according to social, economic and cultural contexts. However, it provokes constant interest in public debates. How much can you qualify as rich? A recent study, based on data from the Banque de France and the criteria of the Observatory of Inequalities, provides precise insight. It sets this threshold at 555,000 euros of net worth, far from the images of extreme luxury often associated with wealth. Indeed, this figure, which concerns around 20% of French households, raises essential questions about the distribution of assets and social inequalities. How does this definition influence our perception of wealth? And what are the implications for public policy and social justice?

Defining wealth: a threshold of €555,000

According to the Observatory of Inequalities, a household reaches the wealth threshold when it has net assets equivalent to three times the median wealth of French people. This criterion, although apparently simple, is based on precise data provided by the Banque de France. In February 2024, the latter revealed that the median wealth amounted to 185,000 euros. In other words, half of French households hold less than this amount, while the other half own more. Thanks to the application of the Observatory rule, the wealth threshold is set at 555,000 euros of net assets, after deduction of any debts.

Although this amount may seem spectacular at first glance, it deserves to be qualified. In fact, it corresponds to relatively common goods depending on the geographical areas. For example, an apartment of 50 to 60 m² in Paris or an average house in the Paris region quickly reach this threshold. Likewise, outside of major population centers it could be a spacious villa or even a castle in more rural areas. These examples show that this threshold, far from the clichés of yachts or private jets, is accessible to a significant part of the population.

According to available data, around 20% of French households are beyond this limit. This provides information on a reality that is often ignored: statistically, wealth includes a much wider diversity of profiles than economic elites. Such a broad definition invites us to reflect on wealth disparities and on the very perception of what it means to be rich today.

Wealth in perspective: perceptions and implications

The threshold of 555,000 euros of assets, although established on solid statistical bases, remains subject to various interpretations. For some, being rich involves more than a specific amount, and translates into a comfortable lifestyle and lasting financial security. However, this definition encompasses heterogeneous profiles. It includes both households who have finished repaying their mortgage and heirs who benefit from family assets. These differences illustrate the diversity of individual backgrounds and contexts that shape our perception of wealth.

The social and economic implications of this definition are particularly revealing. In Île-de-France, for example, this level of wealth can be absorbed by the purchase of modest real estate, such as an apartment or a standard house. However, in rural or less urbanized regions, it opens up much broader prospects, going as far as the acquisition of large properties or luxury villas. Such a contrast sheds light on a marked territorial divide, where location directly influences real estate purchasing power and, by extension, the distribution of assets.

This disparity also raises key issues for public policies. So, how can we design a fair tax system that takes these disparities into account without excessively penalizing the households concerned? What solutions could help reduce wealth inequalities and promote better redistribution of wealth? These questions are all the more essential as the distribution of assets remains a central issue in promoting social and economic equity in France. As debates on the taxation of large fortunes and inheritance multiply, it becomes imperative to better understand these disparities in order to propose appropriate measures.

This analysis reveals a definition of wealth that turns out to be more accessible than one might imagine, which challenges preconceived ideas on the subject. Thanks to the integration of a significant proportion of the population, this threshold provokes essential reflections on the way in which wealth is perceived and its repercussions on social and economic inequalities in France. In a context where debates on tax justice and the redistribution of wealth are gaining momentum, these data offer a valuable framework for considering more equitable public policies. Understanding these realities is a key step in rethinking redistribution mechanisms and responding to future social cohesion challenges.