Public spending in France - statistics & facts
With a recession of approximatively eight percent, the French economy was strongly impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In order to avoid rising unemployment, closure of companies and thus a lasting recession, the French state intervened massively on the market. As part of the stimulus package initiated at the beginning of the crisis in March 2020, the French government developed short-time working to reduce the payroll of companies and guaranteed a zero-interest loan to ensure sufficient liquidity for companies to pay their charges and suppliers. By 2021, France's real GDP had increased by about seven percent compared to the previous year.
Social spending, including unemployment insurance payments, amounted to more than 31 percent of the French GDP in 2022. Other expenditure in the framework of allowances allocated in France include aid for the elderly, to people with disabilities or for childcare.
But this model is very expensive, the country keeps recording high debt levels. In 2023, the public debt in France reached 110.6 percent of the GDP.
Social spending in France
In 2023, the French state budget amounted to more than 470 billion euros. That same year, national education was the third largest public finance expenditure item with more than 82 billion euros invested.Social spending, including unemployment insurance payments, amounted to more than 31 percent of the French GDP in 2022. Other expenditure in the framework of allowances allocated in France include aid for the elderly, to people with disabilities or for childcare.
National debt challenges French economic model
Although the economy is rapidly liberalizing in France, the national economic system is still based on the principle of the welfare state, which intervenes regularly in the country's economy and finances to ensure that social services are developed for the well-being of its citizens.But this model is very expensive, the country keeps recording high debt levels. In 2023, the public debt in France reached 110.6 percent of the GDP.
