2009 general-government accounts

In 2009, France posted a public deficit of €143.8 billion, or 7.1% of GDP. During this recession year, it rose €79.1 billion, driven by the steep fall in public revenues and the continued increase in public spending. Specifically, the deficits that widened were those of central government and social-security agencies. The ratio of compulsory contributions to GDP eased 1.3 points from 42.9% to 41.6%, owing to the sharp drop in tax receipts. By contrast, the ratio of public spending to GDP gained 3.2 points from 52.8% to 56.0%. The public-debt burden rose 10.6 points to 78.1% of GDP.