France's Pass Culture Faces Criticism Over Costs and Limited Impact

The Cour des Comptes highlights financial inefficiencies and unequal access in Macron's flagship cultural initiative for youth.

The Pass Culture program, offering €300 for cultural activities to 18-year-olds, has cost €244 million in 2024, a 2.6-fold increase since 2021.
A report by the Cour des Comptes finds the initiative has failed to reach many from working-class backgrounds, with only 68% of eligible youth from these groups activating the pass.
Critics note that the program primarily reinforces existing cultural habits, with 42–55% of spending on books and limited engagement with live performances like theater or dance.
Concerns over governance and financial oversight include €16 million spent on escape games, a category now excluded following a ministry directive.
Proposed reforms include targeting funds based on socioeconomic criteria, introducing mandatory questionnaires, and transitioning the managing entity to a state-operated model.