A controversial chart in the 2027 budget bill claims 32% of education funds go to pensions, sparking debate over accuracy and implications.
Chart sparks debate
On page 24 of an annex to the 2027 budget bill, the government published a chart that is currently generating significant discussion: it suggests that 32 percent of the ministry of national education's funds are allocated to the pensions of its civil servants through what is called the special allocation account for pensions, referred to as "CAS Pensions."Economist challenges the claim
Economic Policy — Interview "It is false to say that the pensions of retired national education employees represent 32 percent of its budget," said economist Philippe Askenazy. He argues that the figure is misleading and does not accurately reflect the ministry's spending priorities.Executive branch interpretation
The executive branch believes it has made a discovery: the pensions of retired national education employees would account for a third of the ministry's budget. A weight that would make any other spending, for example for schools, impossible.Criticism of the data
However, this figure is biased and misinterpreted, according to economist Philippe Askenazy. He points out that the way the data is presented in the chart creates a misleading impression of the ministry's financial priorities.
