Faced with the aging of the population, the cost of dependency is increasing for communities. According to the latest edition of the panorama from the Department of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics (Drees), gross social assistance expenditure jumped by 3.2% in 2024. A historic increase driven by the dynamism of the Disability Compensation Benefit (PCH) and the Personalized Autonomy Allowance (APA). Press release.
National trends, recent and past, concerning both elderly or disabled people receiving social assistance, and associated expenditure, departmental disparities in social assistance for elderly and disabled people, beneficiaries’ resources, place of residence and living conditions… The 2026 panorama published by the Directorate of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics (Drees) presents elements on establishments welcoming these elderly or disabled people, by mobilizing the four-year surveys that the Drees conducts among these structures.
Aid budget up 5.3%
In France, social assistance for the elderly or disabled is mainly the responsibility of the departments. This skill is one of the components of social protection governed by the Code of Social Action and Families (CASF). In 2024, the departments allocated 2.2 million benefits to elderly or disabled people. The gross expenditure of the departments for this aid thus reaches 20.2 billion euros over the whole of 2024. These expenses are up 5.3% compared to the year 2023 in current euros (i.e. +3.2% in constant euros, that is to say taking into account inflation).
The number of social assistance for the elderly increases by 1.7% in 2024
As of January 1, 2025, 19.6 million people, or 28% of the French population, are 60 years old or over. At the end of 2024, 1.53 million benefits were allocated by the departments to elderly people losing their autonomy, including 849,600 home helpers and 677,900 reception helpers. Annual expenditure on social assistance for the elderly, net of various recoveries and recoveries and excluding departmental personnel costs, increases by 4.1% in current euros (i.e. +2.0% in constant euros) in one year to reach 9.2 billion euros in 2024.
The personalized autonomy allowance (APA) represents more than 90% of social assistance for the elderly. At the end of 2024, 7.3% of people aged 60 or over receive it and 36% of those aged 85 or over. The number of beneficiaries increases by 2.1% in one year and the associated expenditure amounts to 7.4 billion euros in 2024.
Strong development of social assistance for disabled people in twenty years
At the end of 2024, 660,800 social assistance benefits to disabled people are granted by the departments (491,600 home helpers and 169,200 reception helpers) for an annual expenditure of 10.5 billion euros. Other expenses are incurred by the departments, including those linked to assistance in using social life support services (SAVS) or medico-social support services for disabled adults (Samsah). The departments also contribute to the accommodation of young adults in establishments for disabled children and distribute contributions to actions carried out by other communities or organizations, particularly in terms of prevention and operating subsidies intended for associations, municipalities or intermunicipalities or private law organizations working for people with disabilities. Including them, overall gross expenditure amounts to 10.9 billion euros for the year 2024.
The number of beneficiaries of the disability compensation benefit (PCH) will increase further in 2024: it stands at 436,740 people, or +6.6% compared to 2023. The related expenses reach 3.3 billion in 2024, increasing in one year by 10.5% in current euros (and +8.3% in constant euros). This increase is explained by the increase in the number of beneficiaries, but also by the revaluation of the floor rate for home help and support services, the increase in coverage of the PCH parenthood as well as the taking into account in the full year of the financing of salary increases for professionals in home help services.
To find out more:
• Social assistance for the elderly or disabled – Loss of autonomy and disability – 2026 Edition, Drees, June 2026.
