Public spending approval despite dissatisfaction

A national survey by Odoxa, ICI, and France 3 Régions found that 72% of French citizens would support increased public spending to improve services, even though 61% are dissatisfied with their current quality. This contradiction highlights a key economic challenge ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Priority for public services over cost-cutting

While 72% of respondents see improving public services as a top priority, only 24% want to reduce costs. The survey shows that people value the existence of public services but are frustrated by their performance, pointing to a gap between investment and perceived results.

Sectoral dissatisfaction despite high spending

Healthcare, education, and justice are the sectors with the highest expectations for improvement but also the highest dissatisfaction rates. France spends 56% of its GDP on public services, one of the highest rates in the OECD, yet this spending has not translated into proportional satisfaction among citizens.

Rural areas face greater service dissatisfaction

Rural regions report lower satisfaction with public services than the national average, with some departments showing extremely high dissatisfaction. Christophe Bouillon, a local government official, notes that some areas feel neglected, pointing to a mismatch between resource distribution and local needs.

Public sectors show signs of inefficiency

Justice, education, and health are the most dissatisfied sectors, despite absorbing large portions of the state budget. The Lyhanna case and ongoing student protests highlight the lack of tangible improvements, raising questions about the cost-effectiveness of current spending.

Centralized model faces rising costs

France’s centralized system, designed for a more densely populated past, is struggling to meet current territorial needs. The 2,800 France Services centers aim to fill gaps but face economic efficiency challenges, especially in sparsely populated areas.

Digitization adds hidden costs for citizens

While 53% of the French find online procedures easy, 87% struggle to get human assistance, and 81% have difficulty booking in-person appointments. This shift to digital services has transferred costs to users, including time and access to technology, which are not reflected in official budgets.

Lost time affects national productivity

Every hour citizens spend navigating bureaucratic websites or trying to contact services represents a measurable economic cost. These hidden costs, multiplied by millions, impact national productivity, despite the goal of digitization being to reduce operational expenses.

Growing demand for decentralization

Sixty-two percent of the French want more local control over public services, a strong signal ahead of the 2027 election. However, decentralization alone will not solve inefficiencies if funding models remain unchanged.

Public services will shape the 2027 vote

Ninety percent of the French say they will consider public services when voting in 2027. Candidates will need to propose clear economic strategies, as simply increasing budgets without structural reforms risks repeating current failures.