Inflation and insecurity: 1 in 2 students limit themselves or give up food purchases

2023-09-12 12:32:28

For students, more than for the rest of the population, the consequences of the health crisis (covid-19) are added to the difficulties linked to inflation in the prices of food products. In this context, the COP1 association wanted to draw up a precise and objective diagnosis of the difficulties faced by students in France.

Food, leisure: variables for adjusting the student budget

The results of the study show a particularly alarming phenomenon: students’ refusal to purchase food. Nearly one in two students indicate that they sometimes have to limit or even give up purchases on this expense item (49%), i.e. a proportion 24 points higher than that recorded in the entire French population. (25%).

36

%

of students have already skipped a meal due to lack of money

IFOP study for COP1 – 2023

In fact, the refusal to purchase is not limited to food products but concerns almost all goods and services: entertainment and leisure (52% of students have already given up, + 15 points compared to the whole of the French), clothing (52%, + 16 points), housing development (49%, + 17 points), electronic products (45%, + 7 points) or even hygiene and cosmetics ( 43%, +18 points).

Hygienic insecurity for a quarter of students

Despite the free provision of hygienic protection in universities, female students remain more concerned than all French women by this problem. In 2023, nearly a quarter of students indicate that they sometimes do not have enough hygienic protection due to lack of money (23% for all students and 32% for those in a precarious situation ).

A feeling of loneliness

Nearly one in two students report feeling always or often alone. A proportion much higher than that measured in the entire French population (19% of French people face chronic loneliness according to the Astrée/IFOP barometer).

56

%

find romantic relationships “difficult”

Ifop for COP1 – 2023

62% of students are worried about their future, and 45% are afraid of falling into poverty.

Housing: difficulties to find but only a third have difficulty paying their rent

Concerning housing: a third of students report difficulties in this area (37%), i.e. a proportion higher than that measured in the French population (26%) but a minority compared to other dimensions such as administrative procedures or accommodation. ‘money.