France spends 33.5 billion euros each year on the cohesion of its regions, but a March 2026 report by the Cour des comptes suggests this funding is not effectively reducing inequalities between areas. The report argues that public money is not being used efficiently to mend divisions between regions, especially when it is distributed without a clear strategy. A major problem is the lack of coordination between the national government, various agencies, and local authorities. This fragmentation leads to inconsistent policies in key areas such as education, social housing, and public safety, with resources often concentrated in already well-served areas and neglected elsewhere. The report highlights a significant disparity in GDP per capita across regions, with Burgundy-Franche-Comté at 32,652 euros and Île-de-France at 69,288 euros, showing that territorial inequalities remain a pressing issue. Despite the large budget, the gap between regions seems to be growing. The Cour des comptes points out a paradox: the more public money is spent, the less visible the results. Funds are spread across the state, numerous agencies, and local authorities, with no clear way to assess the cost or effectiveness of the policies being implemented. The report criticizes the move from a strategic government focused on long-term planning to one that simply distributes funds, which has led to administrative areas where responsibilities are unclear. In education, for example, some urban areas have overcrowded schools, while others have empty spots that remain unfilled. Similarly, in social housing, some areas have vacant apartments, while families wait for years to find a place. The system is described as overly complex, slow, and disconnected from the actual needs of people on the ground. Public security also suffers from uneven resource distribution, with some areas benefiting from a strong police presence while others feel neglected. Access to healthcare and transportation also varies depending on where one lives. Digitization, often viewed as a way to reduce geographic disparities, has not erased these inequalities. The report notes that the involvement of multiple actors in the same areas without proper coordination has diluted the overall effectiveness of public policies. The Cour des comptes recommends a more coherent strategy that can produce measurable results and ensure that essential public services are available across the entire territory. The report ultimately calls for a reevaluation of how territorial solidarity is defined, emphasizing the need to focus on how and for whom resources are allocated, rather than just on the total amount spent.