France’s manufacturing sector continued to face headwinds in May 2025, with output falling by 1.0% month-on-month (MoM) following a 0.7% MoM drop in April, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE).
The broader industrial sector also recorded a decline, though less severe—down 0.5% MoM in May, after a sharper 1.4% fall in April. The decline in output spanned across most industries, highlighting persistent challenges in French manufacturing.
Over the March-May 2025 quarter, cumulative manufacturing output was 0.4% lower year-on-year (YoY), while overall industrial production dropped 0.8% YoY, INSEE data showed.
Yet, a brighter spot emerged in the textile, wearing apparel, and leather sectors, which saw a 0.3% MoM decrease in May but managed a 3.3% YoY increase, reflecting some resilience in consumer-facing manufacturing segments.
