France’s services sector contracted at a sharper pace in May, as the HCOB France Services PMI dropped to 42.9, down from 46.5 in April 2026. The latest reading, updated on 21 May 2026, signals a deeper downturn in service-sector activity, remaining well below the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction.
The deterioration in May suggests mounting pressure on France’s services economy after an already weak April performance. The further decline in the index points to a more pronounced slowdown in business activity, with the sector likely facing softer demand conditions and increasing headwinds as the second quarter progresses.
