DistantNews
Support us
🇫🇷 France /Economy & Trade

Are French teachers really worse paid than their European neighbors?

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Analysis Documents & data Context piece
  • The article examines French teacher pay as education becomes a prominent issue in the 2027 presidential campaign.
  • European Commission figures cited by Le Figaro indicate that a German teacher after 15 years earns more than twice as much as a French teacher.
  • Candidates have proposed different salary increases, including a 20% rise over five years and monthly increases of 200 to 500 euros net.

At 15 years into their careers, German teachers earn more than twice as much as their French counterparts, according to figures from the European Commission cited by Le Figaro.

Increase teachers' average pay by 20% over five years.

— Édouard PhilippePhilippe's proposal for addressing the decline in French teacher pay.

The issue has returned to public debate as schools reopen and the 2027 presidential campaign takes shape. Several candidates, including Édouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal, have made teacher pay part of their proposals. Philippe has called for a 20% increase in average teacher pay over five years. Attal has proposed raising salaries by between 200 and 500 euros net per month, while saying the additional spending could require savings elsewhere in social expenditure.

On the left, Raphaël Glucksmann has argued that a French primary-school teacher earns less than a Slovenian or Portuguese teacher. The comparison has prompted a broader question: how does French teacher compensation actually compare with salaries across Europe?

I accept increasing salaries by 200 to 500 euros net per month.

— Gabriel AttalAttal's proposed salary increases for teachers.

The article presents the figures as evidence of a severe loss of ground for French teachers in recent years, while examining what their pay slips reveal when set against those of teachers in neighboring European countries.

A French primary-school teacher earns less than a Slovenian or Portuguese teacher.

— Raphaël GlucksmannGlucksmann's comparison of French teacher pay with salaries in other European countries.
About this summary

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog