Business · Economy · 2 hrs ago
18% of people in France go overdrawn every month, survey finds
A survey found 18% of people in France go overdrawn monthly, up from 16% a year earlier.
Panorabanques conducted the survey in July among about 2,000 people.
Rising prices for energy, food and fuel were the main reasons given, ahead of unexpected major expenses and generally difficult finances.
Most overdrafts are under €200 and cleared in less than a week; 43% of respondents said they went overdrawn at least once a year.
The findings come as hundreds of thousands of people protested against the high cost of living in France on 17 October.
New rules will apply from 20 November, bringing overdrafts under €200 under stricter consumer-credit rules.
Another report noted that purchasing power in France has risen in recent years, despite many people feeling it has fallen.
A Panorabanques survey found that 18% of people in France go overdrawn every month and 43% do so at least once a year.
The monthly figure was 16% last year, while the annual figure was 41%.
Rising prices for energy, food and fuel were the main reasons respondents gave.
Most overdrafts are below €200 and are cleared in less than a week.
Rules for overdrafts under €200 are due to become stricter in France from 20 November.
The reports differ on when the survey was conducted: BFM Business and franceinfo say July, while Le Monde describes it as an October study.
- Who
- People in France; the survey was conducted by the banking-comparison service Panorabanques.
- What
- 18% go overdrawn every month, and 43% at least once a year.
- When
- The findings were published on 22 October 2026. The reports differ on whether the survey was conducted in July or October.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- Respondents mainly cited rising prices for energy, food and fuel, as well as the broader cost of living.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
BFM Business and franceinfo report that Panorabanques conducted its survey.
Hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated across France against the high cost of living, according to franceinfo.
The survey findings were published.
Stricter rules are due to take effect for overdrafts under €200.
- Monthly overdrafts
- 18% of people in France
- Annual overdrafts
- 43% of people in France
- Compared with last year
- 16% went overdrawn monthly and 41% annually
- Common overdraft amount
- Usually below €200
- New rules
- Due to take effect on 20 November 2026
4 sources
18% des Français sont à découvert au moins une fois par mois, et même 43% une fois par an: la hausse des prix du carburant, de l'énergie et de l'alimentation sont mis en cause
Banque : 43 % des Français sont à découvert au moins une fois par an
Près d'un Français sur cinq se retrouve à découvert chaque mois à cause de la hausse du coût de la vie, selon une étude
INFOGRAPHIES. Le pouvoir d’achat augmente, pourquoi a-t-on le ressenti qu’il baisse ?
What people are saying
According to our survey, 43% of people in France go overdrawn at least once a year, and 18% every month
This is very good news for consumers, because the cost of these small overdrafts will now be capped at the usury rate, which was not the case before
This is an abusive practice that we firmly oppose