France: public debt rises to 3,595.5 billion in the second quarter of 2026
French public debt reaches 119% of GDP, recording an increase of 59.5 billion euros compared to the previous quarter.
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In the second quarter of 2026, France's public debt reached 3,595.5 billion euros, equal to 119% of GDP, marking an increase of 59.5 billion compared to the previous quarter, as communicated by Insee.
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France's public debt reached 3,595.5 billion euros in the second quarter of 2026, standing at 119% of GDP.
France's public debt progressed further in the second quarter of 2026, reaching 3,595.5 billion euros, equivalent to 119% of GDP: this was announced by the National Institute of Statistics in Paris (Insee).
The debt beyond the Alps grew by 59.5 billion euros between the end of the first quarter and the end of the second quarter of this year, INSEE specifies, after the increase of 75.8 billion in the first quarter (to 117.5%) of the GDP. According to Le Monde, it is "the highest level since 1946 and can only increase further". In recent days, the Paris government itself had warned that the debt of the second largest economy in the eurozone would reach 121.7% of GDP in 2027, or more than double the European limit set at 60%. Something never seen since the beginning of INSEE statistics in 1978.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Public debt will reach 121.7% of GDP in 2027.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What measures will the government take to contain the debt?
- How will financial markets and rating agencies react?
