In France, in March/April 2020, 27,000 excess deaths occurred (+27%), from all causes, compared with the same period in 2019, essentially as a result of the excess mortality caused by Covid-19. Île de France (+91%) and Great East (+55%) were the regions most heavily impacted. The eldest, people born abroad and those residing in the poorest and most densely populated municipalities were most affected. The risk of exposure to the virus varied depending on the social background: manual workers and employees most frequently continued to go to work outside the home; the poorest people most often live in densely populated municipalities and overcrowded housing. Additionally, these people most frequently suffered from obesity or a medical condition associated with an increased risk of developing a severe form of Covid-19.

715,000 jobs were lost in the first semester of 2020, primarily in the temporary sector. Nevertheless, the fall in economic activity essentially related to people who remained in employment: their working hours fell by 34% on average between 16 March and 10 May compared with the same period in 2019. Partial unemployment primarily affected manual workers (54%) and employees (36%), whereas managers more often worked from home (81%). A quarter of households were of the view that their financial situation worsened, particularly those whose activity was reduced during the lockdown, those with children and those whose income was low at the outset. Looking to the future, a quarter of people believed, at the end of April, that they would have difficulties paying their rent, housing loan or outgoings in the next twelve months.

People living alone were more likely than couples to have found lockdown difficult (31% compared with 24%). Access to a private outdoor area and the size of the housing also had an impact on this perception, particularly in poor households or those with children.

In lockdown, women continued to take on most of the domestic and parenting duties, even when they worked outside the home: 19% of women and 9% of men aged between 20 and 60 devoted at least four hours per day on average to domestic tasks; 43% of mothers and 30% of fathers spent over six hours a day on childcare. 13% of people in a couple argued more often than usual.

A third of secondary level pupils having educational difficulties devoted three or more hours to their education, compared with half of good pupils. Pupils from poor backgrounds or those having educational difficulties more often encountered material difficulties or difficulties getting help from their parents.

During the lockdown, more people engaged in music, dance, drawing, painting and sculpture, audio or video editing and scientific or technical activities. Social divergence in amateur cultural pursuits narrowed.