France's economic standing by the numbers amid protests

France faces mounting economic strain amid widespread protests, with public debt reaching 119% of GDP and growth forecasts at just 0.4%, the lowest among developed nations. The government's limited fiscal flexibility has intensified pressure to address spending and tax burdens. France's public debt stands at nearly 3.6 trillion euros, expected to grow to 122% of GDP, while government spending accounts for 57.2% of economic output, well above the EU average of under 50%. Tax revenue and social contributions hit 45.2% of GDP in 2024, second only to Denmark. Borrowing costs reflect investor concerns, with France's 10-year bond yield at 4.96% versus Germany's 3.4%. The IMF forecasts global growth of 3.1% and 2.1% for advanced economies this year, highlighting France's underperformance relative to peers like Germany and Italy.