BAROMETER. Road freight transport prices fell by only 0.1% in January 2026, despite volatility in diesel in a sluggish economy. Regular transport services are staying on course with steady and solid growth.
The French economy is expected to experience GDP growth of 1% in 2026, following increases of 0.9% in 2025 and 1.1% in 2024, according to an INSEE economic outlook report from December 2025. Activity is expected to accelerate slightly in the first half of the year (+0.3% per quarter), boosted by a small increase in manufacturing output. Activity in the construction sector, on the other hand, is expected to register a moderate decline, due to a lull in local public investment following the upcoming municipal elections.
Domestic demand is expected to continue to drive growth in 2026. Household consumption, in particular, is expected to grow somewhat faster, as is business investment. In contrast, INSEE anticipates a negative contribution of foreign trade to growth in the first quarter of 2026 (-0.4 points after +0.5 points) due to the decline in aeronautical and naval exports after the exceptional performance of the second half of 2025.
The French economy is evolving in an uncertain international context and a tense political context. It was not until February 2nd that the country finally had a budget for 2026, an unprecedented situation that reflects the deep political...
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