Revealed: The Two French Departments Where Retirees Receive the Lowest Pensions

For many, retirement marks a critical phase of life, yet not all future retirees receive equal benefits. According to the 2025 edition of the Drees (Directorate for Research, Studies, Evaluation, and Statistics) report on “Retirees and Pensions,” the average retiree earns about 1,666 euros gross per month. However, this figure conceals vast inequalities. Women, for instance, receive a pension that is 38% lower than that of men, a direct result of wage disparities and often interrupted careers. The difference between a former executive in Paris and a part-time employee in the provinces could amount to several thousand euros each month. With 17.2 million retirees in France, this affects millions of individuals.

Regrettably, the disparities do not end there: your place of residence also impacts your pension amount. In rural departments, where salaries have historically been lower, pensions mirror this economic reality. Former farmers, craftsmen, or retail employees in these areas receive amounts well below the national average. Notably, two departments suffer most from this geographic injustice: in mainland France, Cantal has the lowest pension with just 1,297 euros per month, while overseas, La Réunion is at the bottom with 1,189 euros per month.

On the other hand, some regions fare much better. Paris stands out with an average pension of 2,131 euros, nearly double that of Cantal. Hauts-de-Seine follows with 2,081 euros, indicating that the Paris region harbors the most substantial pensions. This disparity is due to decades of higher wages in these dynamic urban areas. Despite these differences, the latest Drees statistics bring some good news: French retirees generally fare better than the rest of the population, with a poverty rate that is 4.4 points lower. However, this is small consolation considering that the retirement age has been pushed back by over two years since 2010!