Lockdown in France : unequal economic consequences across households

The population lockdown implemented in France between 17 March and 11 May 2020 resulted in an unprecedented collapse of economic activity. In May 2020, one quarter of individuals reported that their financial situation had deteriorated since the beginning of the lockdown. The lower the household's standard of living was initially, the more frequently they reported that their financial situation had worsened since the lockdown.

Families with children also reported more often negative economic consequences of the lockdown than households without children. The consequences of the economic downturn diversely affected individuals, depending on their type. One blue collar worker in two, and one executive in four, reported that they were working short-time or on temporary laid off at least part of their working time during the lockdown. Regarding working conditions, executives reported more often than other categories that they had teleworked : 80% of executives who were in employment before the lockdown were teleworking at least partially in May, compared to 35% of employees and only 6% of blue collar workers. A quarter of those who had teleworked felt that their working time had increased since the beginning of the lockdown. These arrangements resulted in maintaining employment for most employees, at least in the short term. However, young people have been much more exposed to the consequences of the economic downturn.