French Government Plans Significant Reduction in Civil Servants to Address Budgetary Concerns

The French government is taking decisive steps to reduce the number of civil servants as part of a broader strategy to cut down national debt and streamline public sector expenditures. Éric Lombard, the Minister of Economy and Public Accounts, emphasized the urgency of this plan during an interview on June 8, 2025, calling the current situation a "budgetary derailment" due to the rapid increase in civil service personnel.

As of 2023, France's civil service has grown to 5.8 million employees, reflecting an increase of 61,900 from the previous year. This increasing trend has made the public sector's wage bill a hefty 346.2 billion euros, constituting 12.33% of the nation’s GDP. In response, the government is targeting savings of 40 billion euros for the upcoming 2026 budget, which involves reviewing hiring needs and salary increases on a ministry-by-ministry basis.

However, the proposed cuts bring challenges, such as potential difficulties in attracting and retaining skilled public service workers, which could impact the effectiveness of the civil service. A report from Fipeco predicts a possible reduction in civil servant numbers by 13.8% by 2030, indicating a significant long-term transformation in the structure of France's public workforce.

Minister Amélie de Montchalin echoed the need for careful reconsideration of recruitment strategies to address these financial concerns effectively. These measures signal a pivotal shift in France's public spending dynamics, aligning with broader efforts to bolster economic stability in the face of increasing national debt.