A new study by France’s General Directorate of Public Finances (DGFiP) has shed light on the income and asset levels required to be classified among the wealthiest households in the country. The report, published at the end of January 2025, highlights the financial thresholds that define the top 0.1% of French households, known as those with very high incomes (THR) and very high assets (THP).
According to the study, these top-tier households numbered 74,500 in 2022, with 40,700 identified as having very high assets and an equal number classified as having very high incomes. Interestingly, 6,900 households fall into both categories. In stark contrast, the remaining 40.7 million French households did not meet either threshold.
The study provides insights into the characteristics of these affluent households, noting that they are predominantly homeowners, more likely to be in partnerships, and older than the general population. To qualify as a household with very high income, a fiscal income exceeding €463,000 annually (approximately €40,000 per month) is required. In comparison, the average income for these households is significantly higher, at around €1.3 million, versus an average of €32,000 for other households.
For those with very high assets, the threshold is set at property holdings exceeding €2.7 million. The average asset value for these households was reported at €4.6 million, compared to €250,000 for the general population.
The DGFiP study also examines trends over the past two decades, revealing that income growth among the very wealthy outpaced that of the general population. From 2003 to 2022, incomes for THR households grew by 119%, compared to a 46% increase for other households. The report attributes this disparity to legislative changes that have disproportionately benefited high-income earners through reduced tax burdens.
Furthermore, the study notes that movement into and out of the top income category is relatively rare. In terms of assets, the average for THP households nearly doubled between 2003 and 2016, from €5.2 billion to €10.2 billion, with a significant portion held in movable assets. After the transition from the wealth tax (ISF) to the real estate wealth tax (IFI) in 2017, the average real estate assets of THP households increased by 18% between 2017 and 2022.
This comprehensive analysis by the DGFiP provides a detailed picture of France’s wealthiest households, highlighting the significant financial divide that continues to grow within the nation.
