Rising food prices are pushing a growing share of France’s poorest households to cut back on what they eat. Reports from BFM TV point to a troubling trend: many families are sacrificing meals or reducing portions to stretch their budgets further as inflation presses on household essentials.
A survey conducted by Ifop, involving 1,007 people representing the bottom third of the income spectrum, found striking figures. About 42% of those in the poorest tier reported skipping meals to save money, while 79% said they had reduced their overall food intake. The study noted that vulnerable groups, along with a segment of the population that is relatively better off—often identified by the yellow vest protests—were tightening their belts just as those in more precarious positions did.
Jérôme Fourquet, a well-known director of public opinion at Ifop, observed that the reductions in consumption do not always affect every meal, but the pattern is consistent and persistent in regular routines. The data suggest that households are curtailing spending on staple foods after other budget options have been exhausted.
Meanwhile, the broader economic backdrop shows inflation at 5.6 percent for the year, with food prices climbing by roughly 15 percent. This gap between overall inflation and food-specific increases highlights how essential groceries have become more expensive, straining household budgets across income levels and forcing some families to reassess what they can afford to eat.
In a broader inflation discussion, opinions from financial authorities and policymakers are mixed. Notably, former officials have proposed varying anti-inflation strategies, with some arguing against aggressive money printing and calling into question the effectiveness of price controls as a long-term solution. These voices contribute to the wider debate about how to stabilize prices while preserving access to nutritious food for all citizens.