Is France Sinking? All Hands On Deck!

Hello from Brittany in France, where I’m enjoying family time, meeting a few of my “Best Friends Forever” back, and learning something new every day about my native country!

Once more, encounter after encounter, I’m experiencing the French paradox. It’s not new, but I must admit it’s getting complicated. So, I decided to do some homework to understand this better and share it with you.

The French have a reputation for being fundamentally pessimistic about their situation. On the surface, it’s hard to understand why when you have lived in any other country because there are so many positive things about France.

Here’s a short list:

• France is the world’s top tourist destination, not even considering the Olympics’ effect. When you ask foreigners which nationality they would most like to have, the answer is clear: French!

• Although declining, France is one of the ten largest world powers and one of the top five soft powers (capacity for influence), even though it has less than 1% of the world’s population and limited natural resources.

• It’s also the second country in the world to attract foreign direct investments, meaning foreign companies will relocate there (thanks to the quality of life, a well-trained workforce, etc.).

• Now, onto a fascinating topic: France appears to be one of the most socially protected countries in the world, with 31.63% of its GDP dedicated to social spending—the highest percentage I could double-check in the reports I consulted! On a per capita basis, it’s still among the highest, although Denmark remains the absolute winner.

• If you peel that social protection onion, you’ll discover a comprehensive and generous social security system that includes health insurance, occupational accident insurance, pension contributions, family allowances, and unemployment benefits.

• Even higher education is virtually free or relatively inexpensive compared to US universities! And it gets even better if you work in France as an employee. You’ll likely enjoy a solid work-life balance with almost too-good-to-be-true rights: a standard workweek of 35 hours, up to seven weeks of paid vacation per year, and one- to two-hour lunch breaks.

• Finally, France is a haven for anyone attached to freedom of speech. The French are more open-minded and tolerant than most nations, and they’re proud of their historical role in developing human rights and secularism. Even the most controversial topics can be openly discussed, and there’s freedom to criticize political leaders, even to extreme degrees.

Yet, despite all this, the country is dissatisfied, unhappy, and divided, with the vast majority of French people thinking they are going through a severe crisis.

How could the French be so negative and disillusioned in 2024?

I’m no economics or sociology expert, but my current immersion in the country gives me some clues. Here are some potential factors:

Economic Concerns

I touched on this earlier, mentioning that France is “declining” among world powers. It leads to anxiety about the country’s future economic prospects and the feeling of going downhill.

The French have a high level of productivity, but they work less than any of the top-performing countries. Just think of it: if France reached the GDP per capita levels of countries like Sweden or the Netherlands, its current 112% of GDP debt (3.2 trillion Euros) would be closer to 90% and be perceived more favorably by partners and lenders.

Unfortunately, today’s level of debt raises concerns about economic sustainability and competitiveness, especially compared to other European countries.

Social Factors

The generous social benefits and work-life balance have created high expectations over time. The French feel entitled, and somehow, I understand them, given the high taxation rates they’re experiencing. 

So, I won’t call these “Privileges” because they have an actual cost. Still, there’s natural anxiety about potentially losing these benefits in the future. It will be perceived as more painful: look at the social unrest we saw with the latest retirement pensions reform in 2023, and you’ll get the idea.

Political Issues

Turn on the news, and you’ll likely hear bad things about what’s happening in the country and the world. Eventually, this negatively shapes public perception and exacerbates a sentiment of failure and insecurity.

In turn, this ongoing negative news cycle feeds political polarization, where the extremes flourish and trust levels for the political class plummet. Yet despite all of this, the French still believe in their democracy, as indicated by the high voter turnout of 66% in the latest parliament elections. Another paradox!

Structural Issues

Successive French governments have attempted to streamline bureaucratic processes. In spirit, France’s bureaucratic system aims to ensure fairness and social protection. Still, its complexity and rigidity often result in frustration and inefficiency, contributing to the overall sense of disillusionment.

The complicated tax code, stringent labor laws, difficulty starting a business, the process for claiming healthcare reimbursements, and the time it takes to obtain building permits are just a few examples of why so many French people perceive bureaucracy as an unnecessary burden that complicates their daily lives. 

Hence, there is a widespread belief that bureaucratic processes are outdated and inefficient.

Societal Changes

The world is changing. France is no exception. Decades of European Union formation, globalization,  and immigration have transformed the country.

Much of this has presented opportunities, opened new market opportunities, filled much-needed jobs, and helped contribute to France’s cultural richness and global connections.

But take a walk in the downtown areas of a major French city. You’ll be struck by the ongoing challenges in integrating immigrants into French society, particularly regarding language, cultural adaptation, and socioeconomic inclusion.

That creates a contentious social cohesion issue and identity concerns: balancing humanitarian obligations, economic needs, and public concerns have led to complex and sometimes contradictory immigration policies.