Public budget breakdown in France 2023

France's total budgetary expenditure in 2023 was nearly 785 billion euros. The first item of expenditure was Refunds and rebates, with more than 128 billion of investment. Advances to local authorities was the second sector of public investment with more than 124 billion euros.

The COVID-19 recovery plan

Following the economic crisis linked to the COVID-19 pandemic in France, the French government has opened a budget of 36 billion euros for 2021. This recovery plan is intended for individuals, companies, local authorities and administrations and is based on three themes: the economic, social and ecological reconstruction of the country. Added to this budget is the emergency plan for the health crisis with aid to businesses.
This vast plan, initiated at the very beginning of the crisis, has made it possible to limit the increase in unemployment in France thanks to partial unemployment and the companies closures through subsidies and state loans at zero interest.

The economic model in the face of debt

Although the economy is rapidly liberalizing in France, its economic system is still based on the principle of the welfare state, which intervenes regularly in the country's economy and finances to ensure that social services are developed for the well-being of its citizens.
But this model is very expensive, the country keeps having a rather high debt level. In 2023, the public debt in France reached 110 percent of the GDP.

Distribution of the public budget in France in 2023, by spending area (in billion euros)

Characteristic	Public expenditure in billion euros
Refunds and rebates	128.3
Advances to local authorities	124.8
School education	82.5
Pensions	64.4
Defense	62
Financial commitments of the State	53.4
Research and higher education	31.2
Solidarity, Integration and Equal Opportunities	29.8
Ecology, sustainable development and mobility	28.5
Security	24.2
Labour and employment	20.3
Territorial cohesion	17.9
State financial contributions	17.1
Justice	12.5
Public finance management	10.9
Advances to various government departments or organizations managing public services	10.5
Public Development Aid	8
Social and pension schemes	6.1
General and territorial administration of the State	4.9
Relations with local authorities	4.3
Agriculture, food, forestry and rural affairs	3.9
Advances to public broadcasting	3.8
Culture	3.7
Economy	3.5
Health	3.4
External action of the State	3.2
Overseas	2.7
Immigration, asylum and integration	2.7
Air traffic control and operations	2.1
Veterans, memory and links with the Nation	1.9
Traffic and parking control	1.6
Sport, youth and associations	1.5
Loans to foreign states	1.2
Public authorities	1.1
Advice and control of the State	0.9
Government Action Directorate	0.9
Transformation and public service	0.8
Media, books and cultural industries	0.7
Management of the State's real estate assets	0.5
Financing of aid to communities for rural electrification	0.4
Investments for the future	0.3
Loans and advances to individuals and private organizations	0.3
Official publications and administrative information	0.2
Agricultural and rural development	0.1