A Quarter of French Households Overdrawn by Mid-Month: A Sign of Growing Financial Strain

A Quarter of the French in the Red by Mid-Month

Living in France is getting tougher for many households. According to a 2025 study by lesfurets and CSA Research, around 24% of French people find themselves overdrawn every month, or almost every month.

On average, bank accounts slip into the red by the 18th of the month — just two days later than the previous year. For many, that marks the halfway point between payday and payback.

41% go into overdraft before the 15th.
46% between the 16th and 25th.
Only 13% manage to hold out until the very end of the month.

It’s a trend that reflects how the rising cost of living — from food and fuel to rent and energy — continues to squeeze everyday budgets.

Young Adults Hit Hardest

Generational gaps are stark. 42% of 25–34-year-olds say they go into overdraft almost every month, a 7-point increase in a single year. Among younger adults (18–24-year-olds), the figure stands at 31%, with their balance often turning negative by the 14th day of the month.

Student loans, low starting salaries, and high rent costs combine to make young working adults some of the most financially vulnerable.

Renters and Parents on the Frontline

Housing continues to play a key role in financial pressure.

34% of renters report regular overdrafts, compared with 20% of homeowners.
Parents of young children are also struggling — 36% of families with at least one child under 15 go overdrawn each month, while only 16% of child-free couples face the same issue.

Regional gaps also tell a story:

The Hauts-de-France, Occitanie, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions record the highest rates of overdrafts (between 27–30%).
By contrast, the PACA region and Corsica fare better, with only around 12% of households affected.

These figures underscore how rent levels, energy prices, and income disparities vary widely across France.

A New Banking Rule Coming in 2026

The financial picture could become more complicated by late 2026, when France applies a new EU directive (2023/2225) designed to regulate overdrafts as consumer credit.

Starting 20 November 2026:

Any new overdraft above €200 will require a formal creditworthiness assessment.
Banks will need to verify that customers can realistically repay before approving or increasing facilities.
Existing overdrafts won’t be affected — but low-income households or those living on tight margins could struggle to access this kind of short-term relief.

While the goal is to protect consumers from debt, the reform might also limit flexibility for those using overdrafts to balance rising monthly costs.

A Warning Sign of Financial Fatigue

The findings highlight a worrying trend: financial precariousness is no longer exceptional — it’s cyclical. When overdraft becomes routine by mid-month, it points to structural challenges rather than poor budgeting.

Economists warn that inflation, stagnant wages, and housing instability will continue to stretch budgets unless purchasing power is restored. For many French families, 2026 could be the year they must rethink banking habits — and possibly find new ways to manage or supplement their monthly income.