The INSEE Flash Réunion study, released on October 6, shows that living standards in Réunion are much lower than the average in mainland France, known as the Hexagone. The data covers the year 2023 and reveals that half of Réunion's population has a living standard below 19,110 euros annually, which is 26% less than in the Hexagone. The report also points out that wealth disparities are more pronounced in Réunion, with a gap of 4.3 between the richest and poorest 10% of the population, compared to 3.5 in the Hexagone. In 2023, INSEE reported that 36.4% of Réunionnais lived in monetary poverty, defined as having less than 1,288 euros per month for a single person. This is significantly higher than the 15.9% poverty rate in mainland France. The situation is especially severe in nine communes, mainly in the cirques (mountainous regions) and in the East. Seniors are particularly affected, with 39% of households where the fiscal reference person is 75 or older experiencing poverty, which is four times higher than in the Hexagone. Young people are also heavily impacted, with 38.7% of those aged 18 to 29 considered poor in Réunion, compared to 19.2% nationally. Poverty is most severe in the cirques, particularly in Salazie, where 53% of the population lives in poverty, and Cilaos, with 49%. Other areas in the East, such as Sainte-Rose (48%) and Saint-Benoît (45.9%), also have high poverty rates. The situation is similarly serious in the southern communes of Saint-Joseph (43.8%) and Saint-Philippe (43%). In the Port and Saint-Louis, the poverty rate is 44% and 42%, respectively. In contrast, the West and North regions have poverty rates closer to those in the Hexagone, especially in major cities like Saint-Denis, Saint-Pierre, and Saint-Paul. The PCR, a political party in Réunion, responded to the study with the statement "Stop the massacre!" The party argues that the findings confirm a long-standing crisis marked by widespread poverty and deep-rooted inequalities. According to PCR, these issues stem from an economic and political model that has failed, particularly due to Réunion's reliance on imported goods controlled by major French retail chains. This model is said to depend on large public transfers without local production growth or the creation of sustainable jobs. The PCR proposes organizing a "territorial conference," similar to the CTAP, to bring together representatives from the poor, unemployed, political parties, associations, and officials. The goal is to develop solutions to address the crisis and create a development plan focused on job creation and poverty reduction, all within a strict timeline. As fuel and other prices continue to rise, the party emphasizes the need to address these growing inequalities before they become a recurring news topic without meaningful action.