The article analyzes the most pressing social and economic problems of modern France. The crisis phenomena in economy have led to an aggravation of many social problems and deepening of existing social inequality. The young people, especially with low levels of education and professional qualifications, became the most affected part of society and have expanded the increased ranks of the unemployed and recipients of minimum social benefits. Dramatically increase government spending has led to growth of government deficits. The government has taken a number of measures to reduce costs, including in the social sphere. The article deals with reforms of Socialist Party that is in power. President Hollande’s measures for strengthening the competitiveness and steps to tighten budgetary policy did not lead to a significant improvement of economic indicators in the country. Particular attention is paid to innovations in the field of social protection. The authors conclude that the French State has kept its position as a guarantor of social development and has pursued a policy of distribution of a set of social standards for emerging categories of recipients. At the same time there is tendency of more "targeting" and diversification of social support. It is noted that the desire of the French authorities to intensify the implementation of "republican values" in the consciousness of the suburbs inhabitants is based on strong reasons. In recent years researchers are observing a tendency to "re-islamization" of young people, immigrants and their descendants, who mainly live in the suburbs of large cities. Exclusion from the economic life of this category of Muslims, particularly youth, its social marginalization contributed to increased influence of religious ideology, often in its radical forms. The authors draw the conclusion that the authorities were forced to look for ways to reduce costs, including in the social sphere. It was not a curtailing of social guarantees but granting more flexibility to this system, the transfer of the gravity center from the payment of benefits to unemployed to encouraging labor activity. There is a desire for greater diversification and targeting of social support. At the same time the state social guarantees to provide a decent life for all citizens have been expanded.