This from The SundayTimes, surprisingly enough: The French were founders of the European Union and for decades, they were among its wealthiest citizens. They looked down upon poorer peoples such as the Cypriots and the Italians, and considered the Germans their economic equals. Today, however, France is in the EU’s second division. For the third year running, its national wealth per head is below the bloc’s average — and indeed below that of Cyprus, according to figures from Eurostat, the statistics office. The French are falling behind the north Europeans and are being caught up by those in the east. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Poles will be richer than them within ten years…. It is not only in Paris that the outlook is causing gloom. In an editorial, Le Télégramme, the regional daily in Brittany, said courage would be needed to overcome the country’s difficulties. It noted that little of this was in evidence among the political class (Times).
France spirals down EU wealth list towards ‘third-world status’
The country used to be among Europe’s richest economies but it’s being overtaken and critics warn there is no recovery on the horizon
By: The Sunday Times, February 3, 2026:
The French are falling behind the north Europeans and are being caught up by those in the east. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Poles will be richer than them within ten years.
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