France’s heated debate over pensions 
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President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial pension reforms aim to streamline benefits and address inequality in France’s pension system. Unions have responded with crippling nationwide strikes
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Macron: Wants to replace 42 state pension regimes with single points-based system

Pension spending (cost as percentage of GDP) 
Greece 17.8%  Retirement age: 67 years
Italy 16.5%   67
France 15.0%  62
Portugal 14.9%  66
EU-28 12.8%  -
Spain 12.6%  65
Poland 11.8%  65
Germany 11.8%  65.6
UK   11.4%  65
Norway  10.2%  62
Ireland 5.5%  66
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€343 billion
Cost of French state pensions under existing system
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€1,400: Current average monthly state pension 
€1,000: Proposed minimum monthly pension for those who have worked full career
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Points-based system: Each day worked earns points for worker’s future pension benefits
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Retirement age: Mandatory minimum retirement age of 62 – Macron wants fixed new retirement age of 64
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Concessions: Reforms will not affect anyone born before 1975 and apply in full to people entering labour market after 2022
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Sources: Eurostat, Associated Press, France24 Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS