France’s public debt in 2025: what the numbers tell us
A clear, student-friendly explainer of France’s debt and deficit in 2025, why politics matter, and what this means for Europe.
Key figures (simple overview)
- Total public debt: about €3.3 trillion.
- Debt-to-GDP ratio: roughly 114% (the debt is bigger than one year of the economy).
- Budget deficit (2025): around 5.8% of GDP (EU rule is 3%).
- EU comparison: France’s debt ratio is among the highest in the EU (only Greece and Italy are higher). The euro area average is much lower.
What does “debt-to-GDP” mean?
It shows how big a country’s debt is compared to the size of its economy. If the ratio is 100%, the debt equals one year of everything the country produces. A higher number means a heavier debt burden.
Political context (why this is in the news)
- The government announced a savings plan of about €44 billion to shrink the deficit.
- One proposal (very controversial) even suggested scrapping public holidays to boost output.
- Opposition parties threatened no-confidence votes, so the government’s position is fragile.
- Public support for cutting holidays is low, and protests underline how difficult budget reforms are.
Economic risks (in plain language)
- Rising interest costs: When rates go up, borrowing becomes more expensive. France already spends tens of billions per year on interest—money that can’t go to schools or hospitals.
- Credit rating pressure: If rating agencies downgrade France, borrowing could become even more expensive.
- Investor nerves: Political fights make it harder to pass reforms, which can worry markets.
Why this matters (for France and Europe)
- France is the second-largest economy in the euro area. If France struggles, it can affect the whole region.
- EU fiscal rules say deficits should be below 3% and debt near 60%. France being far above those levels puts the credibility of the rules to the test.
- Higher French borrowing costs can push up borrowing costs in other countries too.
Trends & what to watch
- Deficit path: Can France reduce the deficit toward 3% without hurting growth?
- Reforms: Pension, spending control, and better tax collection are key—but politically hard.
- New priorities: Defense, energy support, and climate investments make cutting the deficit tougher.
FAQ
Why is France’s debt so high?
Because the government has run budget deficits for many years. Crises (like COVID-19) also pushed spending up. Interest costs and slow growth make it harder to bring debt down.
What is France’s debt-to-GDP in 2025?
About 114%. That means the total debt is larger than one year of the economy.
How does France compare to Italy?
Italy’s debt ratio is even higher (around the upper-130s % of GDP). But France’s ratio is still far above the EU target.
Will France be downgraded by rating agencies?
It’s a risk. If deficits stay high and reforms stall, borrowing could get more expensive after a downgrade.
Source: Eurostat (gov_10q_ggdebt), European Commission. This explainer uses the latest official figures available in 2025.