Coface’s latest survey on payment behaviour in France shows that 85% of companies (82% in 2023) have experienced payment delays, with the majority indicating that they are longer (51 days compared to 48.2 days last year) and more numerous. Although no sector has been spared, the automotive, energy, pharmaceuticals, agri-food, financial services and construction sectors have been particularly hard hit, with more than 25% of companies in these sectors reporting delays of more than two months. This deterioration in payment behaviour is also reflected in a rise in insolvencies, which have now stabilised at much higher levels than in 2019 and 2023. 39,506 insolvencies were recorded in the first seven months of the year, up 23% on 2023 and 26% on 2019. Businesses with sales of less than €250,000 account for 87% of insolvencies. To read Coface’s news release, go to https://www.coface.com/news-economy-and-insights/increased-payment-delays-for-french-businesses-amid-growing-social-and-political-risks.