France’s Oct. 24 demonstrations over household costs and school funding drew sharply different crowd estimates, while separate official data showed energy prices rose 21.3% in September.
The Associated Press (AP) and Le Monde attributed a nationwide estimate of 410,000 to the Interior Ministry. The outlets also reported a higher estimate from the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), but described it differently: AP said nearly 800,000, while Le Monde said more than 800,000. For Paris, they reported an authorities’ estimate of 110,000 and a CGT estimate of 250,000.
AP and Euronews reported that police used tear gas and a water cannon during clashes in Paris. AP placed the clashes near Porte de Vincennes, close to the march’s endpoint.
France’s National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) reported that consumer prices rose 3.1% year over year in September 2026, following a 2.4% increase in August. Energy prices were 21.3% higher than a year earlier.
The Education Ministry’s DEPP statistics directorate reported that 15.4 million teaching hours in public secondary schools were not provided during the 2024-25 school year because absent teachers were not replaced. That represented 7.5% of scheduled teaching hours; the data cover France excluding Mayotte.
In a statement issued Oct. 23, the Interior Ministry asked prefects to assess protest declarations and routes, risks to nearby businesses, and traffic flows at stations and on major roads. The ministry separately said specialized units would be deployed. It cited violence and looting during demonstrations on Oct. 17 as context for its security preparations.
Paris City Hall said it planned to mobilize more than 1,000 sanitation workers over the weekend and open its crisis-management cell on Oct. 24. It also urged residents and businesses to move bins, bicycles and outdoor furniture indoors.
AP and Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that Yellow Vest organizers called for another round of demonstrations on Oct. 31.
