French Public Debt Climbs by €12 Million Every Hour, Now Exceeding €3.4 Trillion
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), France’s gross public debt stood at €3,345.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025, representing 113.9% of national GDP.
Paris, Aug. 26, 2025 — France’s public debt has surged to alarming levels, rising at an estimated pace of €12 million every hour as the country continues to grapple with persistent budget deficits.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), France’s gross public debt stood at €3,345.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025, representing 113.9% of national GDP. Real-time estimates now place the figure closer to €3,411 billion, underscoring the scale of the fiscal challenge.
Economists calculate that France’s debt is increasing by approximately €5,000 per second, reflecting ongoing structural deficits in public spending, welfare obligations, and sluggish revenue growth. The pace has accelerated in recent years due to higher borrowing costs following interest rate hikes in the eurozone and extensive public expenditure on energy subsidies and social programs.
The rising debt burden poses risks for France’s fiscal credibility within the European Union. Although EU rules generally require member states to maintain debt below 60% of GDP, France’s debt is nearly double that threshold. This makes it one of the most indebted major economies in the bloc, alongside Italy and Greece.
“The debt trajectory is unsustainable without significant fiscal reforms,” noted an economist at Sciences Po, warning that rising interest repayments could squeeze funding for public services.
French policymakers remain divided on how to address the crisis. While the government has pledged gradual deficit reduction, opposition groups argue for more aggressive spending cuts to restore confidence. Meanwhile, labour unions warn that austerity measures could worsen unemployment and weaken consumer demand, potentially slowing recovery.
The situation in France has also drawn concern from Brussels, with the European Commission urging member states to prepare credible fiscal consolidation plans. Analysts note that a prolonged French debt crisis could spill over into eurozone markets, raising borrowing costs across the region.
