Rising borrowing costs put pressure on public budgets across the EU

Government bond yields rose in most countries covered in Q2 2026, pointing to costlier new borrowing. The EU average was 3.41%, while Hungary's yield fell to 5.73%.

France: The long-term government bond yield rose to 3.72% in Q2 2026 from 3.53% in Q1, exceeding the EU average of 3.41%.
Hungary: The yield fell to 5.73% from 6.77%, but remained well above the EU average.
Malta: The yield increased to 3.90% from 3.68%, also above the EU average.
Belgium: The yield rose to 3.57% from 3.39%, moving above the EU average.
Germany and the Netherlands: Yields increased to 3.0% and 3.13%, respectively, from 2.82% and 2.94%. Both remained below the EU average.
Finland, Austria and Luxembourg: Yields rose to 3.35%, 3.27% and 3.23%, respectively, while staying below the EU average.
Ireland and Denmark: Yields increased to 3.21% from 3.10% in Ireland and to 2.86% from 2.72% in Denmark, remaining below the EU average.

Across the countries covered, rising yields point to more expensive new government borrowing, while Hungary's decline shows that the pressure was not uniform across the EU.