Part 8/10:
The more profound concern is the structural imbalance in public finances. France is known for having one of the largest government sectors globally, with public spending exceeding 50% of GDP. In 2022, government expenditure accounted for a striking 58% of GDP, compared to 49% in Germany, 44% in the UK, and just 36% in the US. This reliance on high government spending presents sustainability issues, especially when tax revenues fail to meet spending demands, driving the debt-to-GDP ratio up to 112%.