Livret A, life insurance, debt… The wealth of the French in 5 key facts

This Wednesday, May 14, INSEE published a report on household wealth in 2024. This study demonstrates that the French remain seasoned savers, even if their practices are evolving. A focus on five key figures.

Real estate remains the preferred investment for the French. According to INSEE, 57% of households own their primary residence. This is particularly true for the older age groups, with nearly 72% of those over 70 living in their own home. One in five households also owns another property, not their primary residence.

In terms of financial assets, 87% of households have at least one savings account or other investment. Conversely, 6% have no real estate or financial assets, meaning they only own so-called "residual" assets (cars, household appliances, etc.) or a current account.

In 2024, retirement savings will reach a "high point," according to INSEE, with 19.1% of households affected. This figure represents a significant increase compared to 2021 (+2.7%).

This interest from households is explained by the arrival of new supports. This is particularly the case with the creation of individual retirement savings plans in 2019 , which aim to attract savers by offering flexible conditions and tax benefits.

Over the past twenty years, the share of households holding life insurance has increased by 16%, reaching 42% in 2024. This investment has become the preferred safe haven for household savings. Life insurance has thus dethroned home savings, which has declined by 14% since 2004.

Life insurance benefits from tax advantages, particularly at the time of transfer, by allowing inheritance tax to be limited or even eliminated. At the end of 2024, according to the Federation of Insurers, the amounts held by the French in the form of life insurance reached €1,989 billion, an increase of +4.2% year-on-year.

Known for its security, the Livret A savings account remains a safe bet for savers. The number of French people holding one has climbed by a further 4.6% since 2021, reaching 78.1%.

At the end of March, according to figures from the Banque de France, the outstanding amount of Livret A savings accounts reached a new record of €444.2 billion, €142 billion more than in 2019, before the pandemic. This is despite the interest rate being cut to 2.4% (from 3% previously) since February 1, 2025.

Although more than half of French people own their own homes, many still have loans to repay.

A nearly stable share since 2015, 47% of French households have at least one loan currently being repaid. Three out of ten are in debt for real estate, and just as many are in debt for consumer loans. Mortgage borrowing, which is low before the age of 30, affects half of those aged 30-49, but is less prevalent among those aged 60 and over.