Sofinscope – With €426 per year of remaining expenses, the French are more attentive to their health and better control the budget they devote to it

The health budget of the French is at its lowest since 2012, with 426 € remaining to be paid per year 80% of the interviewees pay attention to their health condition to avoid unexpected health expenses. Thanks to their good management of their health and finances, the French are less forced to postpone or give up their health care: only 27% do so for example for the purchase of glasses, lenses or dental or hearing aids (-10 points since 2022) 52% of the French still fear not being able to face an unexpected health expense. Payment facilities are the second most common way they finance their health care expenses (31%), behind personal savings (34%).

The French have never spent so much on their health

The French health budget is at its lowest level since 2012. It now stands at €426 per year, down 12% compared to 2022 and down 25% since 2012. The changes observed in previous years were explained by the health context. Indeed, in 2020, the health budget decreased considerably due to lockdowns that reduced the possibilities of consultation, but also limited the spread of other viruses. In 2022, the health budget started to rise again: confrontation with viruses after two years under mask, end of health restrictions, completion of care that was postponed etc.

The French have reduced their health care budget: 

• avoiding unpleasant surprises: 60% of respondents check the rates before making an appointment with a health professional.
• using other, less expensive approaches: more than four in ten respondents use natural or alternative solutions to take care of their physical or mental health (46%), or have already favored these solutions over expensive medical treatments (43%).
• using the support devices at their disposal. Since January 1, 2021, 100% Santé has been offering all French people with complementary care, care and a wide choice of audiology, optical and dental equipment, which are 100% covered. According to Drees, in 2020 and 2021, reimbursements from complementary organizations for 100% Health goods increased by 30%1.
• taking care of their health. 80% of the interviewees pay attention to their health status to avoid unexpected health expenses.

With this good management of their health and finances, the French are less forced to postpone or give up their health care. This is particularly the case for the purchase of glasses, lenses or dental or hearing aids (27% have already given up, -10 points since 2022), for a consultation with a specialist (23%, -9 pts) or a consultation with the dentist (22%, -9 pts). Moreover, 100% Health is primarily used for dental care. In 2021, 55% of dental prosthetic procedures were performed without any remaining costs for the patient.

 
Health care spending is still a concern, and easy payments are a welcome boost

Today, more than one in two French people still fear that they will not be able to cope with unexpected health expenditure (52%). And some are forced to sacrifice them: 31% have already postponed important care to prioritize other expenses.

Payment facilities are one way to address these concerns. Two-thirds of French people believe that they could reduce the financial stress associated with high health spending. They do not hesitate to use it: while health spending is primarily financed by their personal savings (34%), payment facilities are the second means they use (31%). They would also like to be able to use them more: six out of ten French people say that they could be offered more widely, including for low-cost care in order to better distribute the expenses (65%) and they would even like them to be proposed as soon as the consultation by the health professionals (60%)

The French have an increasingly global approach to their health and a better controlled budget. However, the amount of these expenses and the uncertainty about the care they may have to engage make payment facilities a valuable asset to better understand them. Whether through a split payment or a longer term credit, Sofinco aims to support them in financing their healthcare expenses.

Franck ONIGA

Directeur général de Sofinco

¹https://drees.solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/publications-communique-de-presse/etudes-et-resultats/250429_ER_reforme-du-100-sante

Sofinscope – OpinionWay Barometer for Sofinco

Press Contact Sofinco

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About Sofinscope

Sofinscope is the barometer of Sofinco, a Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility brand. Intended to survey the French on their consumption habits and to better understand them, this barometer which is part of the daily lives of the French is carried out by OpinionWay for Sofinco, with representative samples of the French population.

This study was conducted on a sample of 1,069 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over. The sample was selected according to the quota method, taking into account the criteria of sex, age, socio-professional category, agglomeration category and region of residence. The interviews were conducted from 4 to 6 June 2025 by self-administered online questionnaire on a CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) system
All results are available online at : Sofinscope: the barometer that gives you a head start on consumption

About Sofinco
In France, Sofinco is the trademark of Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility, which distributes a wide range of loans to individuals and associated services across all distribution channels: direct sales, point-of-sale financing (home equipment) and partnerships. Sofinco offers flexible, responsible solutions tailored to the needs of its customers and partners (major retail, specialized and institutional retailers). Google’s UX Finance 2023 Benchmark has awarded Sofinco.fr the title of “Best Mobile Customer Journey”. To learn more : www.sofinco.fr