Economic indicators

France

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Economic indicators | Foreign Trade in figures | Sources of general economic information

Economic indicators

Main indicators	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
GDP (billions USD)	2,271.28	2,593.78	2,865.74e	2,499.15e	2,527.61e
GDP (constant prices, annual % change)	2.4	2.1	0.7e	-3.0e	0.4e
GDP per capita (USD)	36,880.23	41,876.68	46,015.92e	39,922.28e	40,169.53e
General government balance (in % of GDP)	-2.4	-2.7	3.4e	-6.2e	-6.5e
Inflation rate (%)	1.9	1.6	3.2e	0.5e	1.0e
Current Account (billions USD)	12.84	26.92	-45.33e	-8.89e	-23.92e
Current Account (in % of GDP)	0.6	-1.0	-1.6e	-0.4e	-0.9e

Source:

Note: (e) Estimated data

Breakdown of economic activity by sector	Agriculture	Industry	Services
Value added (annual % change)	-1.8	2.1	2.5
Value added (in % of GDP)	2.2	20.6	77.2
Employment by sector (in % of total employment)	3.8	24.3	71.5

Source: - last available data.

Monetary indicators	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Average annual exchange rate for 1 USD	0.81	0.80	0.80	0.73	0.68

Source: World Bank - World Development Indicators

Foreign trade in figures

Foreign trade indicators	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Imports of goods (millions USD)	425,953	467,293	521,698	600,923	691,995
Exports of goods (millions USD)	421,106	439,452	484,768	546,039	601,846
Imports of services (millions USD)	98,371	105,692	113,734	130,749	140,694
Exports of services (millions USD)	114,629	122,209	126,287	145,736	161,745
Imports of goods and services (annual % change)	7.1	5.9	6.1	5.5	-
Exports of goods and services (annual % change)	4.0	3.1	5.4	3.1	-
Imports of goods and services (in % of GDP)	25.6	26.9	28.1	28.4	-
Exports of goods and services (in % of GDP)	25.7	26.1	26.8	26.5	-
Trade Balance (millions USD)	-4,847	-27,841	-36,930	-54,883	-90,149
Trade Balance (including service) (millions USD)	11,411	-11,324	-24,376	-39,896	-
Current Account (millions USD)	12,361	-13,565	-15,452	-31,249	-52,911
Current Account (in % of GDP)	0.6	-0.6	-0.7	-1.2	-
Foreign trade (in % of GDP)	51.3	53.0	54.9	55.0	-

Source:

Main partner countries

Main customers (% of exports)	2008
Germany	14.6%
Italy	8.8%
Spain	8.4%
United Kingdom	7.9%
Belgium	7.6%
United States	5.9%
Netherlands	4.2%
Switzerland	3.0%
China	2.2%
Russia	1.7%
Poland	1.7%
Turkey	1.4%
Japan	1.4%
Algeria	1.4%
Sweden	1.4%
Portugal	1.3%
Singapore	1.1%
Morocco	1.1%
Greece	0.9%
Austria	0.9%
See more countries	52.7%

Main suppliers (% of imports)	2008
Germany	16.4%
Belgium	8.5%
Italy	8.1%
China	6.5%
Spain	6.5%
United States	5.5%
United Kingdom	4.8%
Netherlands	4.1%
Russia	2.9%
Switzerland	2.3%
Japan	2.0%
Norway	1.8%
Poland	1.4%
Sweden	1.3%
Ireland	1.3%
Turkey	1.1%
France	1.0%
Algeria	1.0%
Czech Republic	1.0%
Portugal	0.9%
See more countries	53.9%

Source: Comtrade

Main products

Main exports (% of exports)	2008
Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and...Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof	12.8%
Vehicles other than railway or tramway...Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof	10.4%
Electrical machinery and equipment and parts...Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles	7.9%
Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereofAircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof	6.4%
Pharmaceutical productsPharmaceutical products	5.4%
Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their...Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes	5.1%
Iron and steelIron and steel	3.7%
Plastics and articles thereofPlastics and articles thereof	3.6%
Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring,...Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof	3.1%
Beverages, spirits and vinegarBeverages, spirits and vinegar	2.8%
Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic...Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations	2.7%
Articles of iron or steelArticles of iron or steel	2.0%
Miscellaneous chemical productsMiscellaneous chemical products	1.8%
Organic chemicalsOrganic chemicals	1.8%
CerealsCereals	1.6%
Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of...Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard	1.5%
Rubber and articles thereofRubber and articles thereof	1.5%
Dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible...Dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included	1.3%
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not...Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted	1.1%
Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic...Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals, of radioactive elements or of isotopes	1.1%
Aluminium and articles thereofAluminium and articles thereof	1.0%
Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports,...Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated signs, illuminated name-plates and the like; prefabricated buildings	0.9%
Copper and articles thereofCopper and articles thereof	0.9%
Meat and edible meat offalMeat and edible meat offal	0.8%
Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel...Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silkworm gut)	0.8%
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,...Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted	0.8%
Glass and glasswareGlass and glassware	0.7%
Natural or cultured pearls, precious or...Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin	0.7%
Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;...Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; pastrycooks' products	0.6%
Ships, boats and floating structuresShips, boats and floating structures	0.6%
Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoalWood and articles of wood; wood charcoal	0.6%
Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their...Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inks	0.6%
Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing...Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, 'dental waxes' and dental preparations with a basis of plaster	0.5%
Residues and waste from the food industries;...Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal fodder	0.5%
Miscellaneous edible preparationsMiscellaneous edible preparations	0.4%
Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubersEdible vegetables and certain roots and tubers	0.4%
Miscellaneous articles of base metalMiscellaneous articles of base metal	0.4%
Live animalsLive animals	0.4%
Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other...Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans	0.4%
Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous...Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder	0.4%
Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such...Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles	0.4%
Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruits or...Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruits or melons	0.4%
Cocoa and cocoa preparationsCocoa and cocoa preparations	0.3%
Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other...Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants	0.3%
Sugars and sugar confectionerySugars and sugar confectionery	0.3%
Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues;...Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes	0.3%
Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their...Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes	0.3%
Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and...Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and accessories thereof	0.3%
Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of...Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal	0.3%
Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic...Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates	0.3%
Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiquesWorks of art, collectors' pieces and antiques	0.3%
Clocks and watches and parts thereofClocks and watches and parts thereof	0.3%
Miscellaneous manufactured articlesMiscellaneous manufactured articles	0.2%
Products of the milling industry; malt; starches;...Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten	0.2%
Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica...Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials	0.2%
Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and...Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds	0.2%
Ceramic productsCeramic products	0.2%
Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering...Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement	0.2%
Photographic or cinematographic goodsPhotographic or cinematographic goods	0.2%
Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans,...Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates	0.2%
Man-made filamentsMan-made filaments	0.2%
Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns; twine,...Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns; twine, cordage, ropes and cables and articles thereof	0.2%
Nickel and articles thereofNickel and articles thereof	0.1%
Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutesTobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes	0.1%
Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic...Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard	0.1%
CottonCotton	0.1%
Other made-up textile articles; sets; worn...Other made-up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags	0.1%
Man-made staple fibresMan-made staple fibres	0.1%
Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile...Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use	0.1%
Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and...Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather	0.1%
Special woven fabrics; tufted textile fabrics;...Special woven fabrics; tufted textile fabrics; lace; tapestries; trimmings; embroidery	0.1%
Knitted or crocheted fabricsKnitted or crocheted fabrics	0.1%
See more products	57.1%

Main imports (% of imports)	2008
Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their...Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes	16.9%
Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and...Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof	12.3%
Vehicles other than railway or tramway...Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof	10.2%
Electrical machinery and equipment and parts...Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles	8.1%
Plastics and articles thereofPlastics and articles thereof	3.6%
Iron and steelIron and steel	3.2%
Pharmaceutical productsPharmaceutical products	3.2%
Organic chemicalsOrganic chemicals	2.7%
Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring,...Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof	2.7%
Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereofAircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof	2.3%
Articles of iron or steelArticles of iron or steel	1.9%
Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of...Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard	1.7%
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not...Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted	1.7%
Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports,...Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated signs, illuminated name-plates and the like; prefabricated buildings	1.6%
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories,...Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted	1.5%
Miscellaneous chemical productsMiscellaneous chemical products	1.2%
Rubber and articles thereofRubber and articles thereof	1.2%
Aluminium and articles thereofAluminium and articles thereof	1.1%
Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic...Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals, of radioactive elements or of isotopes	1.0%
Copper and articles thereofCopper and articles thereof	0.9%
Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such...Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles	0.9%
Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoalWood and articles of wood; wood charcoal	0.8%
Meat and edible meat offalMeat and edible meat offal	0.8%
Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and...Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and accessories thereof	0.8%
Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic...Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations	0.7%
Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruits or...Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruits or melons	0.7%
Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic...Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates	0.6%
Natural or cultured pearls, precious or...Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin	0.6%
FertilizersFertilizers	0.6%
Glass and glasswareGlass and glassware	0.6%
Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other...Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants	0.6%
Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their...Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inks	0.6%
Beverages, spirits and vinegarBeverages, spirits and vinegar	0.6%
Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their...Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes	0.5%
Dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible...Dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included	0.5%
Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk;...Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; pastrycooks' products	0.5%
Residues and waste from the food industries;...Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal fodder	0.5%
Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel...Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silkworm gut)	0.5%
Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubersEdible vegetables and certain roots and tubers	0.5%
Miscellaneous articles of base metalMiscellaneous articles of base metal	0.4%
Cocoa and cocoa preparationsCocoa and cocoa preparations	0.4%
Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other...Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans	0.4%
Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing...Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, 'dental waxes' and dental preparations with a basis of plaster	0.4%
Ceramic productsCeramic products	0.4%
Ores, slag and ashOres, slag and ash	0.4%
Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of...Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal	0.3%
Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutesTobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes	0.3%
Other made-up textile articles; sets; worn...Other made-up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags	0.3%
Miscellaneous edible preparationsMiscellaneous edible preparations	0.3%
Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica...Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials	0.3%
Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans,...Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates	0.3%
Clocks and watches and parts thereofClocks and watches and parts thereof	0.3%
Coffee, tea, maté and spicesCoffee, tea, maté and spices	0.2%
Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic...Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard	0.2%
Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering...Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement	0.2%
Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and the...Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and the like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage	0.2%
Nickel and articles thereofNickel and articles thereof	0.2%
Miscellaneous manufactured articlesMiscellaneous manufactured articles	0.2%
Ships, boats and floating structuresShips, boats and floating structures	0.2%
Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous...Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder	0.2%
Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues;...Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes	0.2%
Man-made filamentsMan-made filaments	0.2%
Sugars and sugar confectionerySugars and sugar confectionery	0.2%
Photographic or cinematographic goodsPhotographic or cinematographic goods	0.2%
CerealsCereals	0.2%
Other base metals; cermets; articles thereofOther base metals; cermets; articles thereof	0.1%
Man-made staple fibresMan-made staple fibres	0.1%
Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns; twine,...Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns; twine, cordage, ropes and cables and articles thereof	0.1%
CottonCotton	0.1%
Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and...Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds	0.1%
Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile...Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use	0.1%
Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiquesWorks of art, collectors' pieces and antiques	0.1%
See more products	48.9%

Source: Comtrade

See more products: More imports (Intracen Data)
More exports (Intracen Data)

Sources of general economic information

Ministries: Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry
Ministry of agriculture and fisheries
Ministry of small and medium enterprises, commerce, the craft industry and liberal professions
Statistical Office: French Institute of Statistics (INSEE)
Central Bank: The European Central Bank
The Bank of France
Stock Exchange: Euronext
Main online newspapers: Le Monde (only in French)
Le Figaro (only in French)
Challenges (in French and English)
Libération (only in French)
Les Echos (only in French)
La Tribune (only in French)
Search Engines: Nomade
Voilà
Altavista
Aol.fr
Caloweb
C'est Trouvé
Excite.fr
La Boussole
Hotbot.fr
Lycos.fr
Msn.fr
Netscape
Sharelook.fr