National Debt (% of GDP): France
France's national debt (% of gdp) is currently 119.6% as of 2026. # France National Debt (% of GDP) France's national debt reached 119.
Current (2026)
119.6%
+2.7% y/y
Peak (2026)
119.6%
Low (1980)
21.3%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
National Debt (% of GDP) — France
1980 — 2026
National Debt (% of GDP) — France
Analysis# France National Debt (% of GDP)
France's national debt reached 119.6% of GDP in 2026, marking its all-time peak. This represents a dramatic 461.5% increase since 1980, when debt stood at just 21.3% of GDP. The country's debt-to-GDP ratio has grown substantially over four decades, reflecting structural fiscal pressures and cyclical economic challenges that have accumulated over time.
A sharp spike occurred in 2020, when the ratio jumped to 114.9% from 98.1% in 2019, driven by pandemic-related spending and economic contraction. While France achieved modest improvement from 2021 to 2023 (declining to 109.6%), the trend reversed sharply in 2024–2026, with consecutive annual increases pushing debt to historic levels. The upward trajectory suggests persistent fiscal imbalances, with no near-term reversal evident in current projections.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 129.4% | +1.89% |
| 2029 | 127.0% | +1.93% |
| 2028 | 124.6% | +2.05% |
| 2027 | 122.1% | +2.09% |
| 2026 | 119.6% | +2.66% |
| 2025 | 116.5% | +3.01% |
| 2024 | 113.1% | +3.19% |
| 2023 | 109.6% | -1.62% |
| 2022 | 111.4% | -1.24% |
| 2021 | 112.8% | -1.83% |
| 2020 | 114.9% | +17.13% |
| 2019 | 98.1% | -0.41% |
| 2018 | 98.5% | -0.20% |
| 2017 | 98.7% | +0.61% |
| 2016 | 98.1% | +1.24% |
| 2015 | 96.9% | +0.83% |
| 2014 | 96.1% | +1.69% |
| 2013 | 94.5% | +3.05% |
| 2012 | 91.7% | +3.38% |
| 2011 | 88.7% | +2.78% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 86.3% | +2.62% |
| 2009 | 84.1% | +20.49% |
| 2008 | 69.8% | +6.56% |
| 2007 | 65.5% | +0.15% |
| 2006 | 65.4% | -4.11% |
| 2005 | 68.2% | +1.94% |
| 2004 | 66.9% | +2.29% |
| 2003 | 65.4% | +6.69% |
| 2002 | 61.3% | +3.37% |
| 2001 | 59.3% | -0.67% |
| 2000 | 59.7% | -2.77% |
| 1999 | 61.4% | -1.13% |
| 1998 | 62.1% | +0.16% |
| 1997 | 62.0% | +2.31% |
| 1996 | 60.6% | +4.84% |
| 1995 | 57.8% | +12.02% |
| 1994 | 51.6% | +7.05% |
| 1993 | 48.2% | +15.59% |
| 1992 | 41.7% | +10.32% |
| 1991 | 37.8% | +2.72% |
| 1990 | 36.8% | +3.66% |
| 1989 | 35.5% | +2.31% |
| 1988 | 34.7% | -0.29% |
| 1987 | 34.8% | +7.41% |
| 1986 | 32.4% | +1.57% |
| 1985 | 31.9% | +5.63% |
| 1984 | 30.2% | +9.03% |
| 1983 | 27.7% | +5.73% |
| 1982 | 26.2% | +15.93% |
| 1981 | 22.6% | +6.10% |
| 1980 | 21.3% | — |
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