> taxes are insanely high (>50% income tax after a 24% employment tax)
This is a lie. The top bracket is at 45% above €156.244. This means it is mathematically impossible to pay more than 45% in income taxes, let alone more than 50%.
> systematically high levels of inequality
Yes, there is, but France has a lower Gini index than Canada, so hearing that criticism coming from expats to that country is a bit hypocritical.
You’re only talking about the “income tax” (IR), leaving out the CSG, a flat tax on income, and the various social contributions, which are based on labour income. The CSG brings more money to the Government than the IR, anyway.
Canada is a considerably more opportunistic country than France in every way. I love French culture and they make many things, but for people looking to get ahead, especially migrants, there is no comparison.
Your rebuttals don't help: a 45% max tax (instead of 50%) + ~25% payroll tax + 20% VAT is really quite a hostile.
The difference in GINI between Canada and France is really quite small, unfortunately, there's nothing to be proud of when 'everyone is at the same level of poverty'.
The culture is boring in Canada, but almost 'everything works' well - civil government, low levels of corruption etc..
My brother is essentially 'working class' and he and his wife live a nice, big new home (that they can afford), they have every material pleasure one could imagine, an impossible achievement in most of France.
I still love France but it's not a fully functional state.
This is a lie. The top bracket is at 45% above €156.244. This means it is mathematically impossible to pay more than 45% in income taxes, let alone more than 50%.
> systematically high levels of inequality
Yes, there is, but France has a lower Gini index than Canada, so hearing that criticism coming from expats to that country is a bit hypocritical.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/...