Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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-8, 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 take French forces out of 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.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
metropolitan France: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain
French Guiana: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname
Guadeloupe: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico
Martinique: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Mayotte: Southern Indian Ocean, island in the Mozambique Channel, about half way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Reunion: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
metropolitan France: 46 00 N, 2 00 E
French Guiana: 4 00 N, 53 00 W
Guadeloupe: 16 15 N, 61 35 W
Martinique: 14 40 N, 61 00 W
Mayotte: 12 50 S, 45 10 E
Reunion: 21 06 S, 55 36 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
metropolitan France: Europe
French Guiana: South America
Guadeloupe: Central America and the Caribbean
Martinique: Central America and the Caribbean
Mayotte: Africa
Reunion: World
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 643,801 sq km; 551,500 sq km (metropolitan France)
country comparison to the world: 43
land: 640,427 sq km; 549,970 sq km (metropolitan France)
water: 3,374 sq km; 1,530 sq km (metropolitan France)
note: the first numbers include the overseas regions of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly less than the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
metropolitan France - total: 2,889 km
border countries: Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km
French Guiana - total: 1,183 km
border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4,853 km
metropolitan France: 3,427 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean)
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
metropolitan France: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral
French Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation
Guadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average
Mayotte: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November)
Reunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April)
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
metropolitan France: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east
French Guiana: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains
Guadeloupe: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin
Martinique: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano
Mayotte: generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks
Reunion: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m
highest point: Mont Blanc 4,807 m
note: in order to assess the possible effects of climate change on the ice and snow cap of Mont Blanc, its surface and peak have been extensively measured in recent years; these new peak measurements have exceeded the traditional height of 4,807 m and have varied between 4,808 m and 4,811 m; the actual rock summit is 4,792 m and is 40 m away from the ice-covered summit
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
metropolitan France: coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, fish
French Guiana: gold deposits, petroleum, kaolin, niobium, tantalum, clay
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 33.45%
permanent crops: 1.86%
other: 64.69%
note: French Guiana - arable land 0.13%, permanent crops 0.04%, other 99.83% (90% forest, 10% other); Guadeloupe - arable land 11.70%, permanent crops 2.92%, other 85.38%; Martinique - arable land 9.09%, permanent crops 10.0%, other 80.91%; Reunion - arable land 13.94%, permanent crops 1.59%, other 84.47% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 26,420 sq km 26,950 sq km
metropolitan France: 27,230 sq km (2007)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
211 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 31.62 cu km/yr (19%/71%/10%)
per capita: 512.1 cu m/yr (2009)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
metropolitan France: flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean
overseas departments: hurricanes (cyclones); flooding; volcanic activity (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion)
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
largest West European nation
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)
adjective: French
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities
overseas departments: black, white, mulatto, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
French (official) 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
overseas departments: French, Creole patois, Mahorian (a Swahili dialect)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4%
overseas departments: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, pagan
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
65,951,611 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
note: the above figure is for metropolitan France and five overseas regions; the metropolitan France population is 62,814,233
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 18.7% (male 6,314,779/female 6,029,258)
15-24 years: 11.9% (male 4,017,893/female 3,840,268)
25-54 years: 38.9% (male 12,877,039/female 12,764,229)
55-64 years: 12.6% (male 4,020,974/female 4,287,381)
65 years and over: 17.9% (male 5,029,801/female 6,769,989) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 56.5 %
youth dependency ratio: 28.5 %
elderly dependency ratio: 27.9 %
potential support ratio: 3.6 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 40.6 years
male: 39.1 years
female: 42.1 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.47% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.6 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.96 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 85% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
PARIS (capital) 10.41 million; Marseille-Aix-en-Provence 1.457 million; Lyon 1.456 million; Lille 1.028 million; Nice-Cannes 977,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28.6 (2006 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 159
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3.34 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 215
male: 3.67 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 81.56 years
country comparison to the world: 15
male: 78.45 years
female: 84.82 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.08 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
76.4%
note: percent of women aged 20-49 (2008)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.6% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 10
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.38 physicians/1,000 population (2011)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.4% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
150,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,700 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.2% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 108
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 40
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 16 years
male: 16 years
female: 17 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 23.8%
country comparison to the world: 43
male: 23.9%
female: 23.7% (2012)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: French Republic
conventional short form: France
local long form: Republique francaise
local short form: France
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
note: applies to metropolitan France only, not to its overseas departments, collectivities, or territories
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy), Bourgogne (Burgundy), Bretagne (Brittany), Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Corse (Corsica), Franche-Comte, Guadeloupe, Guyane (French Guiana), Haute-Normandie (Upper Normandy), Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Martinique, Mayotte, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Reunion, Rhone-Alpes
note: France is divided into 22 metropolitan regions (including the "territorial collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and 5 overseas regions (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion) and is subdivided into 96 metropolitan departments and 5 overseas departments (which are the same as the overseas regions)
Dependent areas:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Clipperton Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, New Caledonia, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna
note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica; New Caledonia has been considered a "sui generis" collectivity of France since 1998, a unique status falling between that of an independent country and a French overseas department
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no official date of independence: 486 (Frankish tribes unified under Merovingian kingship); 10 August 843 (Western Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire); 14 July 1789 (French monarchy overthrown); 22 September 1792 (First French Republic founded); 4 October 1958 (Fifth French Republic established)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - although often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration actually commemorates the holiday held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (on 14 July 1789) and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are Fete Nationale (National Holiday) and quatorze juillet (14th of July)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4 October 1958 (French Constitution) (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law; review of administrative but not legislative acts
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Francois HOLLANDE (since 15 May 2012)
head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Marc AYRAULT (since 16 May 2012)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president at the suggestion of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 April and 6 May 2012 (next to be held in the spring of 2017); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Francois HOLLANDE elected; first round: percent of vote - Francois HOLLANDE 28.6%, Nicolas SARKOZY 27.2%, Marine LE PEN 17.9%, Jean-Luc MELENCHON 11.1%, Francois BAYROU, 9.1%, others 6.1%; second round: HOLLANDE 51.6%, SARKOZY 48.4%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (348 seats; 328 for metropolitan France and overseas departments, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for French Polynesia, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 1 for Saint-Barthelemy, 1 for Saint-Martin, 1 for Wallis and Futuna, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve six-year terms; one third elected every three years); and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats; 555 for metropolitan France, 15 for overseas departments, 7 for overseas dependencies; members elected by popular vote under a single-member majority system to serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 25 September 2011 (next to be held in September 2014); National Assembly - last held on 10 and 17 June 2012 (next to be held in June 2017)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS/Greens 140, UMP 132, UDF 31, PCF/MRC 21, PRG 17, other 7; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - PS 48.5%, UMP 33.6%, miscellaneous left wing parties 3.8%, Greens 3.0%, miscellaneous right wing parties 2.6%, NC 2.1%, PRG 2.1%, FDG 1.7%, other 2.6%; seats by party - PS 280, UMP 194, miscellaneous left wing parties 22, Greens 17, miscellaneous right wing parties 15, NC 12, PRG 12, FDG 10, other 15
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation (consists of the court president, 6 divisional presiding judges, 120 trial judges, and 70 deputy judges organized into 6 divisions - 3 civil, 1 commercial, 1 labor, and 1 criminal); Constitutional Council (consists of 9 members)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation judges appointed by the president of the republic from nominations from the High Council of the Judiciary, presided by the Court of Cassation and 15 appointed members; judge term of appointment NA; Constitutional Council members appointed - 3 by the president of the republic and 3 each by the National Assembly and Senate presidents; members serve 9-year, non-renewable terms with one third of the membership renewed every 3 years
subordinate courts: appellate courts or Cour d'Appel; regional courts or Tribunal de Grande Instance; first instance courts or Tribunal' d'instance
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Centrist and Republican Union or UCR [Francois ZOCCHETTO] (previously Centrist Union
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Confederation francaise democratique du travail or CFDT, left-leaning labor union with approximately 803,000 members
French Guiana:
Guadeloupe:
Martinique:
Reunion:
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, FZ, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNSC (permanent), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Francois M. DELATTRE (since 18 February 2011)
chancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 944-6000
FAX: [1] (202) 944-6166
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mark A. TAPLIN note - also accredited to Monaco
embassy: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08
mailing address: PSC 116, APO AE 09777
telephone: [33] (1) 43-12-22-22
FAX: [33] (1) 42 66 97 83
consulate(s) general: Marseille, Strasbourg
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution when the "ancient French color" of white was combined with the blue and red colors of the Parisian militia; the official flag for all French dependent areas
note: the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Netherlands
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Gallic rooster and Marianne
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille)
lyrics/music: Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle
note: adopted 1795, restored 1870; originally known as "Chant de Guerre pour l'Armee du Rhin" (War Song for the Army of the Rhine), the National Guard of Marseille made the song famous by singing it while marching into Paris in 1792 during the French Revolutionary Wars
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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. With at least 79 million foreign tourists per year, France is the most visited country in the world and maintains the third largest income in the world from tourism. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and welfare. France's real GDP contracted 2.6% in 2009, but recovered somewhat in 2010 and 2011, before stagnating in 2012. The unemployment rate increased from 7.4% in 2008 to 10.3% in 2012. Youth unemployment shot up to 24.2% during the third quarter of 2012 in metropolitan France. Lower-than-expected growth and high unemployment costs have strained France's public finances. The budget deficit rose sharply from 3.4% of GDP in 2008 to 7.5% of GDP in 2009 before improving to 4.8% of GDP in 2012, while France's public debt rose from 68% of GDP to 90% over the same period. Under President SARKOZY, Paris implemented some austerity measures to bring the budget deficit under the 3% euro-zone ceiling by 2013 and to highlight France's commitment to fiscal discipline at a time of intense financial market scrutiny of euro-zone debt. Socialist Party candidate Francois HOLLANDE won the May 2012 presidential election, after advocating pro-growth economic policies, the separation of banks' traditional deposit taking and lending activities from more speculative businesses, increasing the top corporate and personal tax rates, and hiring an additional 60,000 teachers during his five-year term. The government's attempt to introduce a 75% wealth tax on income over one million euros for two years was struck down by the French Constitutional Council in December 2012 because it applied to individuals rather than households. France ratified the EU fiscal stability treaty in October 2012 and HOLLANDE's government has maintained France's commitment to meeting the budget deficit target of 3% of GDP during 2013 even amid signs that economic growth will be lower than the government's forecast of 0.8%. Despite stagnant growth and fiscal challenges, France's borrowing costs declined during the second half of 2012 to euro-era lows.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.238 trillion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.579 trillion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$35,300 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 57.7%
government consumption: 24.7%
investment in fixed capital: 19.8%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 27.4%
imports of goods and services: -29.6%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 2%
industry: 18.8%
services: 79.2% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
29.78 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 3.8%
industry: 24.3%
services: 71.8% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.8% (2010)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 24.8% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32.7 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 101
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $1.358 trillion
expenditures: $1.485 trillion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
52.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-4.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
90.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5% (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 116
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.44% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$939.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.571 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.631 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.569 trillion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 8
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-57.2 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$567.4 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Germany 16.7%, Belgium 7.5%, Italy 7.5%, Spain 6.9%, UK 6.9%, US 5.6%, Netherlands 4.3% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$643.4 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Germany 19.5%, Belgium 11.3%, Italy 7.6%, Netherlands 7.4%, Spain 6.6%, UK 5.1%, China 4.9% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$184.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.165 trillion (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 5
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.095 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.497 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
530.6 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
471 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
56.69 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.52 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
124.3 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
50.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
72,300 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.298 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
85.18 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 71
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.55 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.792 million bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
464,300 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
834,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
508 million cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47.99 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.994 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47.71 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.7 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 82
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
374.3 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39.29 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 7
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
62.28 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 21
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: highly developed
domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive use of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system
international: country code - 33; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and US; satellite earth stations - more than 3 (2 Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries
overseas departments: country codes: French Guiana - 594; Guadeloupe - 590; Martinique - 596; Mayotte - 262; Reunion - 262 (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
a mix of both publicly operated and privately owned TV stations; state-owned France Televisions operates 4 networks, one of which is a network of regional stations, and has part-interest in several thematic cable/satellite channels and international channels; a large number of privately owned regional and local TV stations; multi-channel satellite and cable services provide a large number of channels; public broadcaster Radio France operates 7 national networks, a series of regional networks, and operates services for overseas territories and foreign audiences; Radio France Internationale (RFI), under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a leading international broadcaster; a large number of commercial FM stations, with many of them consolidating into commercial networks (2008)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
metropolitan France - .fr; French Guiana - .gf; Guadeloupe - .gp; Martinique - .mq; Mayotte - .yt; Reunion - .re
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.266 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 7
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
45.262 million; 44.625 million (metropolitan France) (2009)
country comparison to the world: 8
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
464 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 17
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 294
over 3,047 m: 14
2,438 to 3,047 m: 25
1,524 to 2,437 m: 97
914 to 1,523 m: 83
under 914 m: 75 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 170
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 64
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
gas 15,322 km; oil 2,939 km; refined products 5,084 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 29,640 km
country comparison to the world: 9
standard gauge: 29,473 km 1.435-m gauge (15,361 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 167 km 1.000-m gauge (63 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,028,446 km (metropolitan France; includes 11,416 km of expressways)
country comparison to the world: 8
note: there are another 5,100 km of roadways in overseas departments (2010)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
metropolitan France: 8,501 km (1,621 km accessible to craft of 3,000 metric tons) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 16
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 162
country comparison to the world: 36
by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 7, chemical tanker 34, container 27, liquefied gas 12, passenger 10, passenger/cargo 41, petroleum tanker 16, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 11
foreign-owned: 50 (Belgium 7, Bermuda 5, Denmark 11, French Polynesia 11, Germany 1, New Caledonia 3, Singapore 3, Sweden 4, Switzerland 5)
registered in other countries: 151 (Bahamas 15, Belgium 7, Bermuda 1, Canada 1, Cyprus 16, Egypt 1, Hong Kong 4, Indonesia 1, Ireland 2, Italy 2, Luxembourg 15, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 7, Mexico 1, Morocco 3, Netherlands 2, Norway 5, Panama 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 3, South Korea 2, Taiwan 2, UK 39, US 4, unknown 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Brest, Calais, Dunkerque, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes,
river port(s): Paris, Rouen (Seine); Strasbourg (Rhine); Bordeaux (Garronne)
container port(s): Le Havre (2,215,262)(2011)
cruise/ferry port(s): Calais, Cherbourg, Le Havre
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Army (Armee de Terre; includes Marines, Foreign Legion, Army Light Aviation), Navy (Marine Nationale), Air Force (Armee de l'Air (AdlA); includes Air Defense) (2011)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17-40 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; 1-year service obligation; women serve in noncombat posts (2013)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 14,563,662
females age 16-49: 14,238,434 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 12,025,341
females age 16-49: 11,721,827 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 396,050
female: 377,839 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.26% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 114
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Madagascar claims the French territories of Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana; France asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); France and Vanuatu claim Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of New Caledonia
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 23,225 (Sri Lanka); 12,666 (Cambodia); 12,585 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); 11,767 (Russia); 11,506 (Serbia); 10,887 (Turkey); 8,605 (Vietnam); 7,335 (Laos) (2012)
stateless persons: 1,210 (2012)