The government’s dismissive attitude to unions and its inability to explain the reform in detail have boosted public support for the strikers. Today, French baby boomers are well-off: The over-65s account for 60% of all wealth and around 75% of them own their own home (for the under-40s, it’s 49%). A 2018 study found pensioners had a higher standard of living than the national average.The millennial generation won’t be so lucky. France today counts around 71 people who are over 65 years old for every 100 who are under 20. France isn’t alone — this is a Europe-wide phenomenon — but it’s clearly a future drag on finances.

Source: Washington Post December 17, 2019 07:30 UTC