France Budget Deficit Narrows in August

France’s central government budget deficit stood at EUR 157.5 billion at the end of August 2025, narrowing from EUR 171.9 billion in the corresponding month of the previous year. The improvement reflected a 0.7% drop in government expenditures to EUR 347.7 billion, as lower transfers to operators and the end of the Covid-19 debt amortization program offset higher military outlays. Additionally, total revenues rose 5.5% to EUR 221.7 billion, supported by stronger income and corporate tax receipts and other domestic levies, though non-tax revenues fell on lower EU co-financing inflows. Meanwhile, the Treasury special accounts — which track the balance of inflows and outflows for targeted spending, such as receipts from local governments — recorded a shortfall of EUR 31.5 billion, compared to a gap of EUR 31.9 billion in the same period a year earlier.