According to a count of 137 products carried out by the consumer defense association UFC-Que Choisir, pens, notebooks, rulers and other materials increased by 10% between July 2022 and July 2023. The biggest surge? +14% on stationery products.
The back-to-school allowance will be paid by CAF from August 1, 2023 to 3million families whose children aged 6 to 18 attend school in a public or private establishment. With an amount of 398.09 euros for children from 6 to 10 years old, 420.05 euros for children from 11 to 14 years old, and 434.61 euros for teenagers from 15 to 18 years old, the ARS is used to pay for school supplies or clothes because the costs linked to the return to school are more and more expensive…
According to a count on 137 products produced for the consumer defense association UFC-Que Choisir pens, notebooks, rulers and other materials increased by 10% between July 2022 and July 2023. Stationery products suffered the highest inflation: +14% according to the UFC-Que Choisir statement. In detail, distributor brands increased slightly more than national brands, respectively +11% and +9%.
Paper pulp prices up 17%
To explain this situation, we must look at the level of inflation on stationery products. This increase is largely driven by the evolution of the price of paper pulp, up 17% between the first quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023 in France. Result, an average blaze of 14% on notebooks, sheets or binders but squared sheets are more expensive by around 30% over 1 year, points to UFC-Que Choisir. Artistic material (paint, brushes) increases by 9% on average, while scientific material (rulers, compasses) undergoes an increase of 8%.
Last year, at the same time, the Trade Union Confederation of Families (CSF) pointed out that households had been forced to spend less on school supplies. According to their study with more than 100 familiesin 2022 parents spent an average of 162.64 euros for a child in CP and 218.17 euros for other primary classes.
Back-to-school allowance: Who do I contact to receive it?
To benefit from the ARS, you must not exceed a ceiling of resources which has been reassessed for the start of the 2023-2024 school year. The household’s net income must not exceed 25,775 euros for the first child. This ceiling is then increased by 5,948 euros per dependent child.
Number of children | Resource cap |
|---|---|
A child | 25775 euros |
two children | 31723 euros |
three children | 37671 euros |
four children | 43619 euros |
Per additional child | + 5948 euros |
The only nuance: if your child is over 16, school is no longer compulsory at this age, you must log in to your private CAF.fr space (or on the mobile app) to confirm that he is still in school, a student or an apprentice.