Business · Economy · 9 hrs ago
85% of French people worry cash could disappear, survey finds
A survey found 85% of French people fear cash disappearing, even as card payments become more common.
The survey was commissioned by the Monnaie de Paris, the public institution that makes French coins, and questioned 2,000 people.
Cards are used by 94% of respondents, while 66% said they use cash to pay.
Many still see cash as the most reliable payment in a crisis, including during economic or political disruption and natural disasters.
Privacy is a major concern: 86% of respondents feel their lives would be more closely monitored if cash vanished.
Nearly half keep cash at home, holding an average of €168.
The Monnaie de Paris has also sold €14 million worth of its gold investment coin, Marianne-or, by the end of October, with buyers able to choose physical delivery or secure storage.
An Ifop survey commissioned by the Monnaie de Paris found that 85% of French people worry that cash could disappear.
Despite growing use of bank cards, respondents saw cash as the most reliable payment method during several types of crises.
Bank cards were used by 94% of respondents for purchases, while 66% used cash.
The main concern about losing cash was reduced privacy, with 86% saying their lives would be more controlled.
Nearly half of respondents kept cash at home, with an average of 168 euros.
- Who
- French people surveyed in an Ifop poll commissioned by the Monnaie de Paris.
- What
- 85% said they were worried that cash could disappear.
- When
- The survey was published on Monday; the article was published on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- France.
- Why
- Respondents feared losing freedom and privacy; 86% felt their lives would be more controlled without cash.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Monnaie de Paris launched the Marianne-or, an investment coin made of pure gold.
The Monnaie de Paris published the survey on cash use and concerns.
Sales of the Marianne-or had reached 14 million euros.
- Concern about cash disappearing
- 85% of respondents
- Bank card use
- 94% of respondents, up from 92% in 2025
- Cash use
- 66% of respondents
- Cash kept at home
- Nearly half of respondents; an average of 168 euros
- Privacy concern
- 86% felt their lives would be more controlled without cash
What people are saying
We are in an increasingly uncertain, tense world. There are wars (...) trade wars, economic tensions, inflation, cyberattacks.
Cash has a side that is extremely reassuring.