France's debt nears 122% of GDP as growth forecast slips to 0.4%

France faces public anger over the cost of living alongside an economy weighed down by high debt, taxes and weak growth. Public debt stood at about 3.6 trillion euros, or 119% of GDP, at the end of June and is heading towards 122%, while growth is forecast at just 0.4%. Government spending exceeds 57% of economic output, and France has repeatedly missed fiscal targets.