Is Being in the Red a "Habit" or "Past"? One in Three French People Face Insufficient Funds! Exploring the Background

“8% Every Month, But Overall Improvement” — The Current State of French Deficits

31% of French people reported having been in deficit over the past year. In the latest survey, about 8% of people are in deficit every month. This is an improvement from 36% in 2023, but household “red flags” remain close at hand. The survey was conducted by MoneyVox, commissioned by YouGov, from August 12-14, with responses from 1,032 French people aged 18 and over.RMC

Inflation Slowdown Behind the Improvement

The decrease in the percentage of people experiencing deficits compared to 2023 is attributed to the stabilization of price increases. For instance, the inflation rate in July 2025 was 0.9% compared to the same month the previous year. There has indeed been a respite from the high energy and food prices.RMC

Meanwhile, the regular deficit group (those who fall into the red every month) still constitutes just under 10%. The current reality is a coexistence of **“improvement” and “persistence.”**TF1 INFORMC

Who Is More Prone to Deficits?

According to MoneyVox's analysis, there are three main causes of deficits.(1) Persistent imbalance in income and expenses (fragile household foundation), (2) Large unexpected expenses, and (3) Forgetting or neglecting account management, with a slight decrease in the weight of (1) in 2025. TF1 summarizes that deficits are more noticeable among those at the SMIC (minimum wage) level and active people in their 40s and 50s, occurring more frequently than among students or retirees.TF1 INFO

Another article by MoneyVox introduces voices expressing the sentiment of wanting to live without too much restraint. Even with slow growth in disposable income, it is difficult to completely cut off entertainment and social expenses — such human fluctuations are depicted as one of the causes of deficits.moneyvox.fr

Rules and Reality: 90% Have “Authorized Deficits,” But 35% Exceed Limits

In France, it is said that 90% have an "authorized deficit" limit, where temporary negative balances do not incur excessive fees if within the set limits. However, **35%** have exceeded this limit at least once. Exceeding the rules results in a sudden increase in costs such as fees and intervention charges.RMC

Additionally, legally, a continuous deficit exceeding three months is converted into "consumer credit", obligating banks to present a specified offer. It's important to note that the authorized limit is not a right, nor is it something banks are unilaterally obliged to continue.Justice

Reactions on Social Media: Three “Temperatures”

These figures were widely shared on social media through reports. Posts and reels on Instagram from RMC, TF1, and MoneyVox, as well as official accounts on **X (formerly Twitter)**, spread the information, with the following three “temperatures” standing out in the comments.

1. Frustration with Fees: Complaints about “high fixed fees for just a slight negative balance.” UFC-Que Choisir has criticized the practice of imposing minimum fees even for small deficits and is calling for stricter regulations.ladepeche.fr

2. Sharing Household Management Tips and Apps: Tips on setting detailed notifications with budget apps, advance savings, and reviewing fixed costs to avoid the “20th-day problem” (tendency to fall into deficit in the latter part of the month) were shared (examples of media post dissemination).TF1 INFORMC

3. The Honest Voices of the “Not Too Restrained” Group: Expressions of the sentiment of not being able to cut back on spending completely. The voice picked up by MoneyVox, “I don't want to bind myself too much,” resonated in the comments.moneyvox.fr

※It is confirmed that the topic was popularized through Instagram posts and X posts from official accounts of each company, but due to many viewing restrictions when not logged in, this article is limited to summarizing trends. Reference: Related posts from MoneyVox and RMC.InstagramRMC

The Context of “Price Gap” in Overseas Departments

How readers in French overseas departments (DOM) perceive this news is also important. For example, in Guadeloupe, INSEE statistics have pointed out the structural issue of “food prices being higher than on the mainland.” The constant rise in living costs can be a factor that increases the risk of deficits.Wikipedia

Understanding the Data: Behind the Numbers

• 31%: People who have been in deficit at least once in the past 12 months. Improved from **36%** in 2023.RMC

• About 8%: People who are in deficit every month (about a quarter of the 31%).RMC

• Survey Implementation: Conducted online by YouGov from August 12-14, 2025, with 1,032 respondents.RMC

• Change in Factors: While the weight of (1) persistent financial distress has slightly decreased due to price deceleration, unexpected expenses and lack of checks remain evident.TF1 INFO

Still, a Positive Outlook

Summaries from multiple media report that the number of optimists who believe **“deficits will decrease in the future” has increased to 39%** (26% in 2023). Conversely, pessimists who believe deficits will increase have decreased to 34% (53% in 2023). Signs of “bottoming out” are visible in the psychological aspect.Planet

Practical Tips: Preventing Deficits from Becoming “Structural”

• Reviewing Authorized Limits: People with increased income fluctuations should review their limits and notification settings. Exceeding limits can easily become high-cost.RMC

• Understanding the Three-Month Rule: Long-term negatives turn into credit agreements. Due to changes in burdens and legal procedures, early rescheduling consultations are effective.Justice

• Avoiding the “20th-Day Problem”: After fixed costs are deducted immediately after payday, designing to avoid the “lean second half of the month” by dividing living expenses weekly (from reporting trends and the wisdom of living people).TF1 INFO
  
  

Summary (Approx. 480 Characters)

In the latest survey in France, 31% experienced deficits in the past 12 months, with about 8% regularly in deficit each month. The improvement from 2023 (36%) is attributed to inflation slowdown. However, 35% exceed the “authorized deficit” limit, making fixed fees and intervention charges a heavy burden. The main causes are persistent income and expense imbalances, unexpected expenses, and neglect of management. On social media, three “temperatures” were observed: frustration with fees, sharing household app usage tips, and the