France's public debt to hit a record 119.3% of GDP in 2026
Debt is a mirror reflecting the gap between a state's promises and its capabilities. When it grows year after year, it signals structural imbalances that cannot be fixed mechanically. France is approaching a historic high, and behind this figure lie difficult decisions that must be made.
According to data published on Saturday by the French Ministry of Economy and Finance, the country's public debt will continue to grow, reaching 119.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2026, up from 115.6% in 2025. The debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to rise to 121.7% in 2027, more than double the European limit of 60%, the ministry said. French daily Le Figaro, citing data from the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), reported that this debt level will be the highest since 1995.
"The increase is mechanical. It is the consequence of a persistently high deficit," the ministry told local media. According to Le Figaro, the French government expects the public deficit to reach 5.4% of GDP in 2026, compared with 5.1% in 2025. On September 11, French Minister of Economy and Finance Roland Lescure said the government had lowered its 2026 economic growth forecast to 0.5 percent, down from the previously projected 0.7 percent. The goal of limiting the budget deficit to 5 percent of GDP in 2026 "is no longer an option," Lescure said, adding that "France's budget deficit in 2026 will exceed 5 percent."
As reported by CCTV+, the rise in France's public debt to a record level reflects persistent fiscal imbalances. Amid slowing economic growth and a growing deficit, the French government will need to find a balance between the need to cut spending and support the economy.
