#52026SC02102026 EU Country Report on France’s Economy and Public Finances
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This report assesses France’s economic outlook and fiscal position, highlighting weak growth, rising unemployment, and pressure from high public debt. It points to GDP growth of 0.8% in both 2025 and 2026, with energy prices, fiscal tightening, and geopolitical uncertainty weighing on activity. For businesses and compliance teams, the main signal is a tougher operating environment: weaker consumer demand, declining private payroll employment, higher borrowing costs for the state, and continued fiscal consolidation. Companies exposed to French demand, public spending, exports, or SMEs’ access to the EU single market should watch for follow-up budget, tax, employment, and competitiveness measures.
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Key Changes
- Flags France’s weak GDP growth outlook, with growth expected to remain at 0.8% in 2026.
- Highlights continued fiscal pressure, with the deficit expected at 5.1% of GDP and public debt projected to reach 118.1% of GDP in 2026.
- Identifies structural concerns, including weak productivity growth, export underperformance, and SMEs not fully using EU single market opportunities.