France: economy

How big is the French economy?

France's gross domestic product was €2,991.1 billion in 2025, according to the INSEE national accounts for 2025 (Insee Première No. 2105, 29 May 2026). In volume terms, GDP grew 0.8% in 2025, after 1.5% in 2024; in current euros it rose 1.9%, with prices up 1.1%.

The annual accounts are revised in later years as fuller tax and business data arrive, so the 2025 level and growth rate may change. INSEE notes that foreign trade subtracted 0.2 points from growth in 2025, as imports (+2.8%) rose faster than exports (+2.3%). Quarterly estimates give a more recent picture of activity in 2026.

Official sources: INSEE: national accounts in 2025

How does France's GDP per person compare with the EU?

France's GDP per inhabitant was 2% below the EU-27 average in 2025, at an index of 98 (EU = 100) in purchasing power standards, according to the INSEE key figures table on GDP per inhabitant in the European Union (Eurostat data extracted 17 June 2026). The index was 103 in the first year shown in the table and has been between 97 and 99 since.

Purchasing power standards adjust for differences in price levels between countries, so the index compares real living standards rather than euro amounts. Recent years are marked provisional and can be revised. For comparison, the same table shows Italy at 96 and Spain at 92 in 2025.

Official sources: INSEE: GDP per inhabitant in the EU

Does France have a trade deficit?

France's trade in goods showed a deficit of €6.1 billion in August 2026, €0.5 billion smaller than in July, according to the customs directorate's foreign trade results for August 2026. Over the 12 months to August, the cumulative deficit was €62.7 billion. Imports fell by €0.9 billion in August and exports by €0.4 billion, mainly because of lower deliveries of aircraft.

Customs figures cover goods only. Including services, which France sells more of than it buys, INSEE's national accounts show a much smaller overall deficit of €14.4 billion in 2025, with a €60.6 billion surplus on services and a €44.4 billion deficit on energy.

Official sources: Customs: foreign trade results, August 2026 · INSEE: external trade balance and components

How much does France export, and to where?

France exported €1,009.4 billion of goods and services in 2025, according to the INSEE key figures table on external trade by region (provisional, national accounts). Exports to the European Union were €515.0 billion, of which €449.9 billion went to the euro area, and exports to non-EU countries were €494.3 billion.

These national accounts figures include services such as tourism and transport as well as goods, so they are larger than customs goods totals. Exports are valued free on board. INSEE notes that the euro area series have been recalculated back to 2008 because Bulgaria joined the euro on 1 January 2026. The 2024 figures are semi-final and 2025 figures provisional.

Official sources: INSEE: external trade by region

How is French industrial production doing?

Manufacturing output in France rose 0.3% in August 2026 from July, after falling 0.8% the month before, while output in industry as a whole fell 0.3%, according to INSEE's industrial production release of 6 October 2026. Compared with a year earlier, industrial output was almost unchanged (-0.1%). Construction output increased over the month.

The index measures the volume of production, adjusted for seasonal and working-day effects. Monthly changes are often revised, although INSEE says July's manufacturing figure was not. The next release, for September 2026, is due on 5 November 2026.

Official sources: INSEE: industrial production in August 2026

What is France's economic growth rate?

The World Bank puts real GDP growth in France at 0.8% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from -7.4% (2020) to 6.9% (2021). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 2.1%, and France placed 40th highest of 49. World rank, highest first: 157th of 180.

What is GDP per capita in France?

The World Bank puts GDP per person in France at $48,986 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: $28,420; France is 15th highest of 49. World rank, highest first: 22nd of 180.

What is France's GDP per person adjusted for prices?

According to the World Bank, GDP per person at purchasing power parity in France was $63,975 in international dollars in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: $50,946 in international dollars; France is 16th highest of 49. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 26th highest.

How big are France's exports?

In 2025, exports of goods and services in France was 33.4% of GDP, according to the World Bank. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 36.6% of GDP; its low point was 2009, at 25.9% of GDP. It is 37th highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 47.7% of GDP. Of 133 countries with 2025 data, 71st highest.

What is France's current account balance?

According to the IMF, the current account balance in France was -0.3% of GDP in 2025 (a deficit). Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 0.6% of GDP; its low point was 2020, at -2.0% of GDP. It is 24th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is -0.3% of GDP. Of 132 countries with 2025 data, 59th highest.

How much foreign investment does France receive?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 1.8% of GDP. The peak was 4.0% of GDP in 2022 and the low 0.2% of GDP in 2014. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 1.9% of GDP, and France placed 26th highest of 49. World rank, highest first: 99th of 179.