French heatwaves could cost up to 15 billion euros, minister says

France's repeated heatwaves this summer may inflict a significant economic toll, potentially costing the nation between 10 to 15 billion euros, according to the Minister of Ecological Transition, Monique Barbut.

Barbut announced the figure during a crisis meeting focused on the ongoing drought. She stated that the estimate is based on INSEE data but stressed that it should be "taken with great caution." The INSEE, however, has indicated that it is not the source of this specific estimation and does not currently have figures for the direct and indirect costs of the 2026 summer heatwaves.

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We can estimate, in any case this is the estimation of INSEE and this figure is to be taken with great caution, a figure of the order of 10 to 15 billion euros of direct and indirect costs of this summer's heatwave.

This announcement follows a previous meeting on July 27, where Barbut had already indicated that the "historic" drought facing France would result in costs exceeding the 5.6 billion euros estimated for 2022. At that time, the government reported that water cutoffs were affecting over 30,000 people across 80 municipalities. That number has since risen, with Barbut now stating that more than 40,000 people are affected.

The minister emphasized that ensuring access to drinking water remains the top priority, as supplies are already strained in many regions. Currently, drinking water supply is under pressure in 50 French departments. Last week, the supply for over 550,000 inhabitants was considered strained, with nearly 3 million people placed on alert.

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The first of our priorities remains obviously the supply of drinking water which is already under tension in several territories, more precisely today in 50 French departments.