Exporting

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France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. It plays an influential global role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, NATO, the G-7, the G-20, the EU, and other multilateral organizations. France rejoined NATO's integrated military command structure in 2009, reversing DE GAULLE's 1966 decision to withdraw French forces from NATO. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier, more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent decades, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common currency, the euro, in January 1999. In the early 21st century, five French overseas entities - French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion - became French regions and were made part of France proper.

Location

Natural Resources

Population - distribution

much of the population is concentrated in the north and southeast; although there are many urban agglomerations throughout the country, Paris is by far the largest city, with Lyon ranked a distant second

64768389
French (official) 100%, declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish, Occitan, Picard)
PARIS (capital) 10.843 million; Lyon 1.609 million; Marseille-Aix-en-Provence 1.605 million; Lille 1.027 million; Nice-Cannes 967,000; Toulouse 938,000 (2015)
Conventional long form
French Republic
Conventional short form
France
Local long form
Republique francaise
Local short form
France
semi-presidential republic
Name
Paris
Geographic coordinates
48 52 N, 2 20 E
Time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
The French economy is diversified across all sectors. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. However, the government maintains a strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. Despite terrorist attacks, labor strikes, and bad weather, France is still the most visited country in the world with 83 million foreign tourists in 2016, including 530,000 who came for the 2016 Euro Cup. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that mitigate economic inequality.
Inflation
0.183%
Total tax rate (% of commercial profits)
62.8%
Real Interest Rate
5.107%
Manufacturing, value added (% of GDP)
11.104%
Current Account Balance
US$ -22,749,232,490
Labor Force, Total
30,055,118
Employment in Agriculture
2.83%
Employment in Industry
20.12%
Employment in Services
75.25%
Unemployment Rate
9.97%
Imports of goods and services
US$ 768,009,979,407
Exports of goods and services
US$ 725,599,016,807
Total Merchandise Trade
43.57%
FDI, net inflows
US$ 42,309,750,160
Commercial Service Exports
US$ 235,573,097,904
wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish
machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism
Commodities
machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages
Partners
Germany 16.1%, Spain 7.5%, US 7.4%, Italy 7.3%, UK 7%, Belgium 6.8% (2016)
Commodities
machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals
Partners
Germany 16.9%, China 9.1%, Italy 7.5%, US 7%, Belgium 6.7%, Spain 6.4%, Netherlands 6%, UK 4.3% (2016)
Country Risk Rating
A2
The political and economic situation is good. A basically stable and efficient business environment nonetheless leaves room for improvement. Corporate default probability is low on average.
Business Climate Rating
A1
The business environment is very good. Corporate financial information is available and reliable. Debt collection is efficient. Institutional quality is very good. Intercompany transactions run smoothly in environments rated A1.
  • Quality of infrastructures and public services
  • Skilled and productive workforce, dynamic demographics
  • Competitive international companies (aerospace, energy, environment, pharmaceuticals, luxury, agrofood, retail)
  • Global agriculture leader
  • High levels of savings
  • Insufficient number of exporting companies, loss of competitiveness and market share
  • Weakening level of product sophistication, insufficient focus on innovation
  • Low employment rate among young and older people
  • High public indebtedness
  • Tourism sector weakened by risks of terrorism

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