In 2018, half the population of metropolitan France had a standard of living (i.e equivalised disposible income) below €1,771 a month, which is slightly higher than in 2008 in constant euros. The maximum standard of living for the poorest 10% remained lower than in 2008, owing to the fall in income before redistribution; this drop is itself linked to the rise in the number of unemployed among the poorest. Conversely, income before redistribution rose for the wealthiest people. In the end, inequality before redistribution greatly increased in the 10-year period. The tax-benefit system compensated for this rise: in 2018, after redistribution, inequality was slightly higher than in 2008.

In 2018, 14.8% of residents in ordinary housing in metropolitan France were living below the poverty threshold, i.e. 9.3 million people. The unemployed, young adults and single-parent families are far more exposed to poverty. While the overall poverty rate for 2018 is close to that of 1996, the rate for non-working adults who are not retired (homemakers and students living with their parents) has risen considerably. The poverty gap has been stable overall since 2008, despite a strong rise before redistribution, beginning in 2002. Redistribution also greatly reduces the poverty rate, which would have been 7.5 points higher in 2018 in the absence of monetary transfers.

Taking into account population groups not usually counted (people living in communities or institutional collective housing units, mobile homes, the homeless, and non-cohabiting students), about 10 million people would be below the poverty threshold in metropolitan France. In French overseas territories, 940,000 people are below the national poverty threshold.

Inequality in living standards and poverty is much higher in Île-de-France (notably Paris) and overseas territories and in densely populated municipalities more generally, in particular central municipalities. Inequality in living standards, the poverty rate and poverty gap are relatively low in France compared with the majority of OECD countries.