France's public debt set to hit 30-year high as fiscal pressures mount

France's public debt is expected to climb to 119.3 per cent of gross domestic product in 2026 and further rise to 121.7 per cent in 2027, marking the highest levels since 1995, according to fiscal projections. The figures represent a substantial departure from the European Union's 60 per cent reference threshold that member states are encouraged to maintain. The widening gap between France's debt trajectory and EU guidelines underscores mounting fiscal pressures on the French government. Officials in Paris have faced increasing scrutiny over spending commitments and revenue generation as the country grapples with demographic shifts and economic headwinds affecting the broader eurozone. The debt trajectory comes amid broader concerns about fiscal sustainability across Europe, with several member states contending with elevated public debt levels in the post-pandemic economic environment. France's situation will likely feature prominently in upcoming EU budget and governance discussions as policymakers assess the health of the bloc's second-largest economy.