France Government net lending/borrowing in France

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: -4.9% 2027: -4.8% 2028: -4.3% 2029: -3.8% 2030: -3.4% 2031: -2.9%
-1.5 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV
Period% of GDP
Jan 1999 -1.5
Jan 1998 -2.4
Jan 1997 -3.7
Jan 1996 -3.9
Jan 1995 -5.1
Jan 1994 -5.5
Jan 1993 -6.4
Jan 1992 -4.6
Jan 1991 -2.9
Jan 1990 -2.5

About this indicator

Source
International Monetary Fund
Frequency
Annual
Release
Published annually (with quarterly advance estimates in some economies), subject to revision with the national accounts.
What it is
France's government deficit is the negative balance of general government accounts when spending exceeds revenue over the year; when revenue exceeds spending, there is a surplus. It is published by INSEE and is usually expressed as a share of GDP.
How it's calculated
It is calculated as general government net lending or borrowing (central government, agencies, local government and social security funds) under the harmonised ESA 2010 rules, measured against GDP to obtain the ratio.
Market implications
The deficit drives the government's financing needs and the path of debt. In France, a focal point of the EU fiscal rules, a high or persistent deficit pressures the spread of the French bond (OAT) over the Bund and is watched by markets and rating agencies.
Limitations
It is a low-frequency figure subject to revision alongside the national accounts. The headline balance should be distinguished from the primary balance (which excludes interest) and from the cyclical component tied to the economic cycle.