Half of respondents said, “I can’t buy fresh vegetables or fruits every week.”
Severe inflation burdens young people… Reduce food costs
One in five French students does not have enough food due to the cost of food.
According to a survey published on the 10th (local time) by the French daily Le Monde, 19% of French college students answered, “I skip three or more meals a week.”
49% of respondents answered, “I cannot afford to buy fresh fruits and vegetables every week.”
This is the result of a survey conducted by the French Student Federation (FAGE) on 7,531 French university students from September to December last year.
When categorized by whether or not a scholarship was received, the results were different. 28% of students receiving scholarships responded, “I can’t fill my stomach,” but only 16% of students not receiving scholarships responded.
One in five students who did not receive a scholarship answered, “I don’t use the cafeteria often because it’s too expensive.” The price of an academic course at a French university is 3.3 euros (about 4,800 won).
Similar patterns appeared in other surveys. According to the results of a survey conducted by public opinion research agency IFOP in September last year, 36% of French students answered, “I regularly skip meals because I don’t have money.”
Le Monde analyzed, “Following the closure of restaurants in university areas during the pandemic, young people are reducing their food spending due to extreme inflation last year.”
According to the French National Statistics Institute (INSEE), consumer prices rose 3.7% in December 2023 compared to the same period last year.
FAGE President Mael Nizan argued for increasing accessibility to university cafeterias, saying, “We are demanding education for 1 euro.”
According to FAGE, 72.7% of university cafeterias in France are closed in the evening, and 85% are closed on weekends.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.