France’s private sector contraction intensified in May, with the HCOB France Composite PMI slipping to 44.9 from a previous reading of 47.6, according to data updated on 3 June 2026.
The latest figure, covering May 2026, signals a sharper decline in overall business activity compared with the prior reading for the same month, and keeps the index firmly below the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction. This suggests mounting pressure on both services and manufacturing components of the French economy.
The deterioration in the composite indicator underscores ongoing weakness in underlying demand and business conditions, adding to concerns about the strength and momentum of France’s economic outlook as the second quarter of 2026 progresses.
