FranceAccording to the 2026 barometer published by France’s National Energy Mediator, one-third of French households report difficulty paying electricity or gas bills, a significant increase from 18 percent in 2020. The financial strain is particularly acute among those under 35, where 55 percent face such difficulties, while 86 percent of all surveyed households state that energy costs heavily burden their budgets. Many families resort to involuntary energy sobriety, with 72 percent limiting heating during winter to avoid high bills, up from 53 percent in 2020. Additionally, over two-thirds of households reported suffering from heat during the summer of 2026, and 28 percent experienced both cold in winter and heat in summer. The initial cost of equipment remains the main barrier to electrification, cited by 53 percent of respondents who do not plan to switch to more efficient devices.
Bias read (Center): The article relies exclusively on data from the independent National Energy Mediator and uses neutral, descriptive language to present statistical findings regarding household finances and energy consumption habits.
