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France’s Debt Rises to 119% of GDP, Public Sector Workers Protest

In Q2 2026, France's public debt hit 119% of GDP, the highest since 1946, according to Insee. Despite budget cuts, debt interest weighs heavily. Thousands of public workers protested falling purchasing power due to fuel price hikes.


Elena Rossi
Elena Rossi
September 30, 2026  ·  1 min read
B-Empire Magazine
Brief

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.

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