Education. Back to school: Prices of supplies are falling, a first in several years

On the eve of the back-to-school allowance payment, it's time to make the first shopping lists for the start of the school year and to choose notebooks and pencils from the supermarket shelves. Every year, several associations take out the calculator to draw up an invoice that reflects the cost of school supplies as accurately as possible.

Following the release of the survey by the Confédération syndicale des familles (*), the annual barometer of the Familles de France association, published this Monday, estimates that the price of school supplies is falling this year for students entering secondary school.

Prices of sporting goods drop the most

"In 2025, the average basket will be €211.10, compared to €223.46 in 2024," summarizes Familles de France. "This represents a decrease of €12.36, or -5.53% compared to last year." This barometer, which has been carried out for around forty years, is created by evaluating the average cost of a basket of school supplies requested by a student entering sixth grade. "For the first time in several years, all physical distribution channels are recording a drop in prices," specifies the association, noting a decline in hypermarkets (-8.09%) and supermarkets (-2.98%), as well as in specialty stores (-4.75%) and online (-3.82%).

While the decline was most pronounced in 2024 for stationery, this year it was sporting goods that recorded the biggest drop (-8.59%). But all categories were down. "This improvement is explained by a more stable economic context: inflation contained around 1%, lower energy and transport costs, and easing of raw materials prices (paper, plastics)," explains the association.

Less waste, more anticipation

But this decline in the amount paid "also reflects a change in purchasing behavior: anticipation, comparison, search for promotions and reduction of waste," continues Familles de France.

The back-to-school allowance, which benefits some three million households and is paid out starting Tuesday, is intended for the poorest families with children aged 6 to 18. It amounts to around €450, with some variation depending on age.

(*) The CSF study is based on the expenditure records of 212 families who are members of 16 departmental CSF unions. The UNEF survey methodology establishes typical student profiles and calculates the difference between expenditure and aid received for each profile.