Politics gets in the way

AA1

LOW RISK for entreprise

  • Economic risk

  • Business environment risk

  • Political risk

  • Commercial risk

  • Financing risk

  • Economic risk

  • Business environment risk

  • Political risk

  • Commercial risk

  • Financing risk

Last updated in July 2024.

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GDP USD2782.9bn (World ranking 7, World Bank 2022)
Population 67.9mn (World ranking 21, World Bank 2022)
Form of state Semi-presidential republic
Head of state Emmanuel Macron (President)
Next elections 2027, presidential and legislative
Strenghts
  • High quality infrastructure (eg. transport)
  • Many international corporate giants and growing presence of technological start-ups (‘French tech’)
  • Diversified economy
  • Numerous nuclear plants that make the country less vulnerable to energy shortages
  • Qualified engineers and strong export-oriented services
Weaknesses
  • Low employment rate among youth and seniors
  • Weakening productivity growth
  • Lack of large SMEs that can bear the sunk costs associated with innovation and exports
  • Rent-based economy (eg. retail distribution, taxis)
  • Elevated level of public spending and questionable efficiency 

Trade structure by destination/origin

(% of total, 2022)

Exports Rank Imports
Germany 13.7%
1
14.6% Germany
Italy 9.2%
2
11.3% Belgium
United states 7.9%
3
8.9% Netherlands
Belgium 7.9%
4
7.7% Spain
Spain 7.6%
5
7.4% Italy

Trade structure by product

(% of total, 2022)

Exports Rank Imports
Road vehicles 7.7%
1
8.9% Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials
Medicinal and pharmaceutical products 6.2%
2
8.6% Road vehicles
Other transport equipment 6.2%
3
7.4% Gas, natural and manufactured
Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, n.e.s. 4.6%
4
4.8% Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, n.e.s.
Essential oils for perfume materials and cleaning preparation 4.2%
5
4.2% Medicinal and pharmaceutical products