Millennials Say Boomers Causing France’s Huge Deficit

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

In France, a new fight has started between young people and older people. It is not about school, sports, or fashion. It is about money and fairness. Many millennials—young adults born between the 1980s and early 2000s—say they are working hard, paying heavy taxes, but not getting much in return. They point fingers at the baby boomer generation, people born between 1945 and 1964, and say:

“You had it easy, and now you are leaving us with debt and problems.”

This anger has grown louder as France’s public deficit (the amount of money the government owes) keeps rising. Young people feel they are being asked to fix mistakes made by older generations while their own lives are getting harder.

How Social Media Sparked the Debate

A big part of this fight started on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), a new account called “NicolasQuiPaie” (“Nicolas Who Pays”) became very popular. In just a short time, it gained more than 74,000 followers.

The account tells the story of “Nicolas”, a fictional young worker. He represents a typical French millennial who is tired, stressed, and struggling to pay bills. Opposite him are “Bernard and Chantal”, two retirees who enjoy comfortable lives with good pensions, long holidays, and secure benefits.

• The posts show a simple message:
• Nicolas works and pays taxes.
• Bernard and Chantal enjoy pensions and benefits.
• The system seems unfair to young people.

This message spread fast because it touched something real: many young French workers feel their efforts go to supporting others, not themselves.

• Why Are Millennials Angry?
• The anger comes from three main reasons:
• Pensions and Benefits

In France, retirees get generous pensions. These pensions are often linked to inflation, which means when prices rise, pensions rise too. This protects older people, but younger people do not always get wage increases to match inflation.

Rising Debt
The French government has borrowed a lot of money over the years. Today’s young adults must help pay this debt through taxes, even though they did not create it.

Unfair Voting Power
Many young people believe politicians protect retirees because older people vote more. That makes it easier for politicians to give benefits to retirees and leave the young to carry the burden.

Voices From Both Sides

This debate has made people talk everywhere—in families, cafés, workplaces, and even on the streets.

The Young Side (Millennials):
They say, “We are stuck. We pay higher taxes, rent is expensive, jobs are not secure, and we may never retire with good pensions. Yet, we are still asked to pay for the comfortable life of older people.”

The Older Side (Baby Boomers):
Many boomers disagree strongly. They say, “We worked hard too. We built the country, we paid taxes, and we deserve our pensions. Don’t forget, we also paid for the schools, healthcare, and roads that young people use today.”

For example, one retiree, Patrick Sorel, 67, explained while buying bread:
“We paid for Nicolas’ education. Now politicians must be fair and ask everyone to help, not just young people.”

• This shows how deep the generational gap is. Each side feels they are right.
• What Politicians Are Saying
• Politicians could not stay silent about this debate. Some leaders quickly reacted:

François Bayrou, Prime Minister (74 years old):
He surprised many by criticizing baby boomers. He said it was not fair if only workers are asked to fix the deficit. He warned that ignoring young people could lead to revolt.

Bruno Retailleau, Interior Minister:
He agreed with Bayrou, saying the anger of the young must not be ignored.

Polls show that most people under 35 support Bayrou’s view. But among people over 50, more than 80% disagree. This shows a clear age division in French politics.

Economists Weigh In

Experts also joined the debate. Many economists say the millennials are right to be worried.

France’s pension system is built on a model where today’s workers pay for today’s retirees. This worked well in the past when there were many young workers and fewer old people. But today, the balance has changed:

• People live longer.
• There are fewer young workers.
• The system is under huge strain.
• Economist Maxime Sbaihi explained it clearly:

“No country in the world treats pensioners like France does—especially baby boomers who had prosperity after World War II.”

This means that boomers had many advantages: jobs were easier to find, homes were cheaper, and pensions were stronger. Today’s young people face the opposite—high housing prices, unstable jobs, and uncertain retirements.

The Role of Social Media

The movement around “NicolasQuiPaie” shows the power of memes and online communities. With funny pictures and short slogans, the group managed to start a serious national debate.

Young people feel ignored by traditional politics, but on social media they found a way to make their voices louder. Politicians noticed because the movement kept trending and reaching thousands daily.

This also shows how digital tools are changing democracy. Instead of waiting for politicians, citizens can now build online campaigns that grab national attention.

Why Does This Matter Beyond France?

• Even if you do not live in France, this story is important. Many countries face the same problem:
• Older generations enjoy benefits from systems created decades ago.
• Younger generations worry those systems will collapse before they retire.
• It raises a big question: How should societies share money and resources between the old and the young?

This is not just about pensions. It affects education funding, healthcare, housing, and taxes. What is happening in France today may soon happen in other countries too.

• Public Deficit: When a country spends more money than it earns, it creates debt. Young people today may have to help pay this back.
• Generational Fairness: Older and younger groups may not always agree on what is fair. This can lead to debates and political fights.
• Power of Voting: Older people vote more often, so politicians sometimes listen to them more. Young people feel left out.
• Social Media Power: Platforms like X can make ordinary voices louder and force leaders to pay attention.
• Future Challenges: Systems like pensions may not work the same for today’s young people. They may need to be changed.

Group Viewpoint

• Millennials Feel overtaxed, underpaid, carrying debt and paying for others’ pensions.
• Boomers    Believe they earned pensions, already contributed, and deserve benefits.
• Politicians Divided—some defend retirees, others warn of young people’s anger.
• Economists Say the system is outdated and unfair to the young.

The fight between French millennials and baby boomers is about more than money. It is about trust, fairness, and the future. Millennials see themselves as working hard but still struggling, while boomers feel they are only receiving what they already earned.

This debate will not end soon. The French government faces a hard choice: keep protecting retirees or change the system to help the younger generation. Either way, the discussion shows how important it is for different generations to listen to each other.

France millennials vs boomers