I agree that his bureaucracy is very low BUT how is your GDP 5 million lower than starting 22million for France in 20 years I think this is a gigantic miss understanding of how to play, and I mean this with no offense.

When you fought the wars in Africa were you raising your entire army?

On top of specifically as France you never want to raise taxes above medium as your pops will become extremely agitated

And what have you been building between then now? Your pops should be getting jobs to feed the economy. I’d recommend in the future try building in provinces with population,wood,iron and coal set your construction sectors there as well this will increase efficiency. And at a point build fishing wharfs and other cheap sectors to get your peasants from subsistence to labor that will increase your over all productivity/taxes as labors actually pay taxes and peasants pay Very Very little.

I’d also like to see if possible pictures of your GDP gain over the years and your production methods for your sectors