Cost Constrained, Study Reveals 40 Percent Of French Citizens Unable To Go On Vacation

Vacation illustration to Paris, France (Photo: Freepik/Freepik)

JAKARTA - The shadow of the holiday is often synonymous with relaxation and freedom. However, for most French citizens, the dream is far from true.

A recent study from the independent organization L'Observatoire des Inégalités (Observatorium Ketimpangan) released in June 2025 revealed that about 40 percent of French citizens could not go on vacation due to high costs.

This finding shows significant inequality in terms of the ability to vacation, which relies heavily on a person's income and social status.

The study clearly showed striking differences. As many as 78 percent of senior executives are able to travel, while 47 percent of workers cannot take a vacation.

"The higher your social ladder, the greater the chance you can go on vacation," reads the study report, as quoted from the France24 page on Saturday, July 19.

In more detail, the study explained that only 42 percent of the population with an income of less than 1,285 euros or Rp. 24 million per month had their last vacation in January 2024 in the last 12 months.

Compare it to the executive group, most of whom have been on vacation for the same period. The vacation in this study is going out of the house for at least four consecutive nights, not related to work, and includes transportation and accommodation costs.

Factors that affect the intensity of a person's vacation are not only social status, but also the economic background of family and friendship networks.

"At higher social levels, people more often have access to free accommodation on vacation spots, such as the second house," the study report read.

This shows that social privilege plays a major role in determining who can take a vacation easily. Critics argue this inequality is not a destiny that France should just accept.

They suggested France could imitate Denmark, a country that has succeeded in making 80 percent of its citizens vacation with adequate support from the government. Experts also agree that the government needs to take concrete steps to allow more people to vacation.

They believe this kind of step not only benefits individuals, but also improves social equality. While on vacation, people from various levels of society have rare opportunities to mingle.

Director of research center for social and economic trends in France, Credoc, Sandra Hoibian, explained that when in public places such as beaches, festivals, or cultural galleries, people tend to be more open and interact with each other.

"Various social groups interact more often than usual," said Hoibian.

He also added that supporting more people to vacation and providing accessible entertainment activities would be very helpful to eliminate social inequality boundaries. That way, holidays can be a means to unite society, not the other way around.