The Big Mac index shows the Euro as significantly overvalued when purchasing price parity is brought into effect, which means that in addition to earning less in USD, the French can buy less with the same money as well.
That being said, they have much better and much cheaper health care. That saves each person the equivalent of thousands of USD per year. And coupled with other social insurance programs makes the gap not as high as it appears otherwise.
> That being said, they have much better and much cheaper health care. That saves each person the equivalent of thousands of USD per year.
I seriously doubt that the French plan is significantly better and cheaper than the boring Kaiser+dental+eyes plan that costs around $350/month for folks in their 50s.
That being said, they have much better and much cheaper health care. That saves each person the equivalent of thousands of USD per year. And coupled with other social insurance programs makes the gap not as high as it appears otherwise.