Debt Clock France

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Keep track of France’s public debt in real time.

Public debt

France's public debt

All borrowings by general government (state, central government agencies, local authorities and social security agencies)

Public debt increases by €6,405 per second (€553 millions per day). It would take €35 billion in budget surplus every year for a century to pay off the debt.

Public debt/GDP

Public debt-to-GDP ratio in real time

113% 2024. France is the 3rd most indebted country in the EU, behind Greece (153.6%) and Italy (135.3%). EU average: 81.0%; euro zone average: 87.4%; Germany: 62.5%.

Public debt/capita

Public debt per inhabitant

Per capita debt increases by €7 every day, or €2551 per year.

DEBT INTEREST PAYMENTS

State expenditure on interest payments on the public debt in 2026

Amount forecast for the end of 2026: €74 billion (after €67 billion in 2025 and €58 billion in 2024). Interest on the debt exceeds the defence budget (excluding pensions) and represents the largest item in the state budget. Interest on the debt accounts for 5.35% of compulsory levies in France.

Public debt/State budget

Public debt as a percentage of government revenue in 2026
0 ,127%

The stock of debt represents more than ten times the State's annual revenues. A budget surplus of €35 billion a year for a century would be needed to pay off the debt.

STATE BORROWING NEEDS

Net borrowing requirements forecast by Agence France Trésor in 2026
0

billion €

€300 billion in 2025, €285 billion in 2024

SHARE OF DEBT HELD BY NON-RESIDENTS

Share of foreign lenders holding French government negotiable debt securities (in Q2 2025)
0 .1%
compared with 40% in Germany, 30% in Italy and 28% in the UK. Between 3Q 2023 and 3Q 2024, 75% of French debt was purchased by non-residents.

increase in debt
(MACRON)

Rising public debt under Emmanuel Macron’s presidency since Q2 2017

Public debt stood at 2,280.6 billion on June 30, 2017.

increase in debt
(HOLLANDE)

Increase in public debt under the presidency of François Hollande (2012-2017)
0
billion €
Debt stood at €1,922.6 bn at June 30, 2012 and €2,280.6 bn at June 30, 2017.

increase in debt
(SARKOZY)

Increase in public debt under Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidency (2007-2012)
0
billion €
Debt stood at €1,277.6 bn at June 30, 2007 and €1,922.6 bn at June 30, 2012. The severe global financial crisis of 2008-2009 led to a massive increase in the budget deficit.

DEBT, THE COVID CRISIS AND INFLATION

Increase in France’s public debt between the end of 2019 and the end of 2023
+ 0 .7
points of GDP
Euro zone average: +4.5 points; EU average: +3.9 points

INTERESTS AMOUNT PAID SINCE 1974

Cumulative interest paid on France’s public debt since 1974
The interest paid on the public debt over the past 51 years represents almost half of the current stock of debt.
Sources : INSEE, ministère de l’Économie et des Finances, Banque de France, Agence France Trésor, Gouvernement (“Programme de stabilité 2024-2027”, avril 2024), Fondation IFRAP, Eurostat, Rapport sur la dette des administrations publiques, Assemblée nationale, octobre 2024. Loi de finances 2025, Cour des Comptes (“La situation des finances publiques début 2025).
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