In the second quarter of 2026, France’s public debt reached €3,595.5 billion, equivalent to 119% of its gross domestic product (GDP), a level not seen since 1946, according to data published by Insee.
Despite government efforts to reduce spending, debt interest remains a major budget item, amounting to €77.4 billion in 2026 and projected to reach €100 billion by 2030.
Meanwhile, thousands of public sector workers protested on Tuesday against the decline in their purchasing power, which has been eroded notably by rising fuel prices.