France: Government debt

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 France

Government debt as percent of GDP

 Latest value 110.60
 Year 2023
 Measure percent
 Data availability 1978 - 2023
 Average 63.17
 Min - Max 20.80 - 114.90
 Source The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies of France
The latest value from 2023 is 110.6 percent, a decline from 111.9 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 68.76 percent, based on data from 90 countries. Historically, the average for France from 1978 to 2023 is 63.17 percent. The minimum value, 20.8 percent, was reached in 1980 while the maximum of 114.9 percent was recorded in 2020. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
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* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Recent data
France - Government debt - Recent values chart

Historical series
France - Government debt - historical chart - 1978-2023




The government debt in France and other countries is calculated as the total amount owed by the national government to domestic and international lenders. It is reported as percent of GDP so that we can evaluate its magnitude relative to the size of the economy.

Government debt of about 60 percent or less of GDP is not considered a problem. The government can make payments without strain and even has some room to borrow more. If debt levels reach 80-90 percent that may have negative effects on the economy. Debt above 120 percent of GDP is quite detrimental.
Definition: Debt is the entire stock of direct government fixed-term contractual obligations to others outstanding on a particular date. It includes domestic and foreign liabilities such as currency and money deposits, securities other than shares, and loans. It is the gross amount of government liabilities reduced by the amount of equity and financial derivatives held by the government. Because debt is a stock rather than a flow, it is measured as of a given date, usually the last day of the fiscal year.

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 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Government spending, percent of GDP 24.01 2022 percent
 Government spending, in dollars 705.69 2023 billion U.S. dollars
 Fiscal balance, percent of GDP -5.50 2023 percent
 Government debt 110.60 2023 percent
 Government expenditure 175.72 Q2/2024 billion
 Long-term interest rate 3.01 7/2024 percent
 Tax revenue 23.96 2021 percent
 Commercial tax rate 60.70 2019 percent
 Tax preparation time 139 2019 hours
 Number of taxes 9 2019 taxes
 Taxes on goods and services 20.81 2021 percent
 Taxes on international trade 0.00 2021 percent
 Income and profits taxes 28.44 2021 percent
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