Breakdown of the French State general budget by ministerial mission (latest finance law, payment credits). Different concept from « general government spending » (COFOG / Eurostat) which includes social security and local authorities — this is the central State alone (~€594bn in 2026 vs ~€1500bn for general government).
Reading keys for the more opaque missions:
• Refunds & tax credits (€146bn): technical line — VAT refunds, R&D tax credit (CIR), other tax credits flowing back to taxpayers. Not actual policy spending. State's « real » mission spending ≈ €448bn.
• Financial commitments (€60bn): essentially debt servicing (interest payments).
• Solidarity (€31bn): RSA, prime d'activité, AAH disability allowance.
• Territorial cohesion (€23bn): housing aid (APL) + urban policy.
• Police & gendarmerie (€26bn): national police + gendarmerie + civil security.
• School education (€90bn): primary + secondary; higher education sits in « Research & higher education ».
593 Mds €
State general budget — 2026 (payment credits)
Refunds & tax credits (technical line)
145.6 Mds €
School education
89.6 Mds €
Defense
66.5 Mds €
State financial commitments (debt service)
60.3 Mds €
Research & higher education
31.6 Mds €
Solidarity, inclusion & equal opportunity
31.3 Mds €
Police & gendarmerie
25.8 Mds €
Ecology & sustainable mobility
22.8 Mds €
Source: Loi de finances pour 2026 (LFI 2026) · LOI n° 2026-103 du 19 février 2026
