A new study reveals that one in three French people have experienced an overdraft in the past 12 months, driven by rising inflation and a decline in purchasing power. According to the 15th barometer on the purchasing power of the French people, conducted by CSA Research for Cofidis, 61% of respondents believe inflation—which reached 2.4% annually in August according to INSEE—has significantly affected their financial situation. This has led to increased difficulty in managing monthly budgets, especially for households already facing financial strain. A separate survey by YouGov France for MoneyVox found that 69% of consumers feel they have been overdrawn more frequently in the past year, with 40% anticipating even more frequent overdrafts in the coming months. INSEE predicts inflation will rise to 2.9% by the end of the year. According to the study, 33% of the French population reported having been overdrawn at least once in the past year, a slight increase from 31% in August 2025 but lower than the 36% seen in 2023, a year marked by high inflation due to the war in Ukraine. The most affected groups include the unemployed (39%), those with lower socioeconomic status (CSP-, 38%), and households with children (38%). Retirees, however, are less likely to face overdrafts, with only 25% reporting such situations. The reasons for overdrafts vary, with 54% citing a difficult financial situation as the primary cause, and 38% pointing to unexpected major expenses. Overdrafts linked to poor budgeting have decreased, with only 18% of respondents attributing their overdrafts to this cause, down from 27% last year. Meanwhile, fewer people are using overdraft authorizations, with 14% of those who have been overdrawn now lacking access to this option, compared to 9% a year ago. This trend is especially notable among young adults aged 18 to 24, with a third of them unable to go into the red. The decline may be due to a shift in consumer behavior, such as using banks that prohibit overdrafts, or changes in bank policies that aim to steer vulnerable customers toward accounts without overdraft features. The study also shows that while overdrafts are still common, their frequency and amounts are decreasing. Nearly 20% of the French are overdrawn every month, a drop from 25% a year ago. The average overdraft amount remains relatively low, with 45% of those surveyed reporting overdrafts under 200 euros. Overdrafts exceeding 1,000 euros are rare, affecting only 5% of respondents. Overall, the data suggests a slight improvement in financial management, though challenges remain for many households. The survey was conducted online from August 4 to 5, 2026, with a sample of 1,006 people aged 18 and over, representative of the French population.