At the start of each month, many French people look at their bank accounts while waiting for their pension to be paid. And, some are much luckier than others.
French retirement pensions fluctuate significantly from one department to another. Behind the national average there are in reality very strong differences depending on the territories. The difference can even reach several hundred euros per month for certain sectors. In France, the average pension is around 1,800 euros gross per month when adding basic and supplementary pensions. However, it is important to remember that a former private sector employee, a former civil servant, a trader or a farmer have neither the same careers, nor the same contribution levels, nor the same rights at the time of departure. Added to this is another factor: the department in which the career took place.
This explains why certain French pension maps almost resemble those of salaries. Large employment areas, metropolises and regions where careers are longer or better paid show higher than average amounts. Conversely, the more rural departments, marked by more modest incomes or by a strong presence of former self-employed people and agricultural operators, are significantly lower.
At the top of the 2026 ranking, the departments where the French reach the most are largely concentrated around the Paris region. Paris comes first with an average pension of 2,131 euros gross per month, ahead of Hauts-de-Seine at 2,081 euros and Yvelines at 2,065 euros. Then follow Essonne with 1,877 euros, Val-de-Marne with 1,790 euros, Val-d’Oise with 1,727 euros and Seine-et-Marne with 1,711 euros. Outside Île-de-France, Rhône, Haute-Garonne and Gironde complete the top 10.
At the other end of the ranking, we find Reunion which brings up the rear with an average pension of 1,189 euros gross monthly. Next come Guadeloupe with 1,271 euros, Cantal with 1,297 euros, Guyana with 1,318 euros, Creuse with 1,319 euros and Tarn-et-Garonne with 1,325 euros. Lot-et-Garonne, Lozère, Aveyron and Pas-de-Calais are also among the lowest ranked departments.
However, if Ile-de-France retirees receive significantly more comfortable pensions on paper, this observation should be qualified by taking into account the cost of living. Accommodation and consumption in the Paris region requires a budget much higher than that of rural departments. In any case, these territorial disparities remind us of a golden rule: the importance of anticipating the end of your career and regularly taking stock of your retirement rights to avoid unpleasant surprises when the time comes.
