The French and European agricultural crisis demonstrates that no sustainable development trajectory is possible without a drastic reduction in social inequalities and glaring injustices in our economic system. Instead, public authorities in Paris and Brussels are moving backwards by relaunching pesticides and pollution, without addressing injustices and liberal dogmas. This is especially inappropriate as the farming world is currently the most unequal professional environment. No viable solution can be found without addressing this basic material reality.
Let’s go back. A widely circulated statistic has struck the French public in recent weeks: the average annual income of farmers is 56,014 euros in 2022, which is much higher than what is sometimes imagined. These data, gathered by the statistical services of the Ministry of Agriculture for European comparison, are also available in great detail, by type of farm and by decile of remuneration.
However, several clarifications are necessary in order to interpret them. Firstly, the study excludes a part of the smallest farms. The ministry specifies that 95% of the land and 99% of the production are covered. Nevertheless, between 10% and 20% of farmers are excluded depending on the sector.
Secondly, and most importantly, it is necessary to clarify the concept of income being studied. This is the average annual income per full-time farmer, after deduction of all operating expenses, including financial charges (interest on loans) and depreciation allowances for equipment, but before deduction of income tax and social security contributions. This largely explains the high level of this average income of 56,014 euros.
If we calculate the average remuneration per employee (full-time equivalent) in France in 2022, including all employee social security contributions (deducted from gross salary) and employer contributions (paid in addition to the gross salary), we also arrive at an average of around 60,000 euros per year, close to that of farmers, or even slightly higher. At an equivalent level, the average income of doctors reaches 120,000 euros per year (90,000 for general practitioners, 150,000 for specialists).
Difficult access to capital and equipment
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