Economic action

Key figures to remember

• 101 departments

  (96 metropolitan + 5 overseas). Historic 19th-c. tier, refocused since 2015 on human solidarity (RSA, APA, ASE).

  Source: DGCL

• 1.9 million RSA households

  RSA is paid by CAF but funded mostly by departments (devolution under the 2003 Act).

  Source: DREES 2024

• ~6,800 public lower-secondary

  schools (collèges) built, maintained and equipped by departments. ~3.4 M pupils. The State pays the teachers.

  Source: DEPP RERS 2024