FRA France profile

France maintains a constitutional framework with a strong presidency and formal checks and balances. The political system remains centralized in practice, though decentralization assigns powers to regions, departments, and municipalities. The administrative system is complex and costly, with heavy bureaucratic load that can hinder swift policy response. The political landscape shows fragmentation and coalitions that can slow reform and lead to impasses. Civil liberties are protected, but counterterrorism and surveillance policies raise concerns about rights and proportionality. Public trust in political institutions fluctuates, and there is ongoing debate about transparency and the influence of interest groups.

Colonial history Extensive colonial empire
Former colonizer France
Government type Unitary semi-presidential constitutional republic
Legal system Civil law system
Political stability Generally stable

France has a mixed economy with a substantial services sector and strategic industrial bases. The state maintains involvement in key sectors and social welfare spending, which can affect competitiveness and labor costs. The labor market remains relatively rigid, with reforms aimed at flexibility facing political and social resistance. Growth depends on external demand and domestic consumption, with productivity gains uneven across sectors. Innovation capacity exists but lags in some indicators, and risk appetite for investment varies by sector and region. Regional disparities persist, with urban centers concentrating opportunity while rural areas experience slower development. The energy and environmental transition requires capital and policy certainty, with a defining role for nuclear energy in the mix.

Currency name Euro
Economic system Mixed economy
Informal economy presence Significant
Key industries Aerospace, Automotive, Luxury goods, Tourism, Pharmaceuticals
Trade orientation Export-oriented

France has varied geography that shapes regional development and exposure to climate risks. Coastal and river zones create vulnerability to extreme weather and water stress in certain areas, while land use pressures affect habitats and agriculture. Biodiversity protection competes with development and farming practices, requiring ongoing policy attention. France pursues environmental and climate objectives through policy measures and market instruments, but implementation is uneven across regions and sectors. Public support for environmental measures exists, yet economic and social tradeoffs generate tensions among communities and businesses.

Bordering countries Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, Andorra, Argentina
Climate type Temperate
Continent Europe
Environmental Issues Air pollution, Water pollution, Biodiversity loss
Landlocked No
Natural Hazards Floods, Winter storms, Heatwaves
Natural resources Coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, salt, uranium, farmland, forests
Terrain type Plains, mountains, and coastal regions

Demographic aging and immigration influence social policy and welfare needs in France. Education and training systems face pressures to align with labor market demands, and social mobility remains uneven. Access to healthcare and social services is broad but capacity constraints and regional disparities persist. Integration and social cohesion are affected by secularism, cultural diversity, and regional identity, which can fuel political debate and social tension. Labor activism expresses dissatisfaction with policy direction and underlines fault lines in the labor market. Public safety and crime concerns shape perceptions, though crime levels require careful interpretation relative to context.

Cultural heritage Rich in art, literature, cuisine, and fashion
Driving side Right
Education system type Secular public education system
Ethnic composition Predominantly French, with various ethnic minorities
Family structure Nuclear families are common, with a focus on individualism
Healthcare model Universal healthcare
Major religions Roman Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism
Official languages French

France has an extensive transport network with dense rail and road systems and major international hubs, but capacity and maintenance challenges exist in several areas. Energy infrastructure features a significant role for nuclear power, with ongoing modernization and diversification toward renewables amid transition risks. Digital connectivity is strong in urban centers, while rural areas show uneven access and quality. The innovation system benefits from universities, research institutes, and industry collaboration, yet funding access and scale-up support vary by sector. Public investment and procurement shape technology adoption and infrastructure upgrades, with cyber security and resilience as ongoing priorities.

Internet censorship level Low
Tech innovation level Moderate to high
Transport system type Well-developed public transport, including high-speed rail

Development indicators

Indicator Year Value Rank 5Y Rank Change
Military expenditure (current US$) 2023 61,301,290,833 9 +2
Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism 2023 0.344 83 -16
Regulatory Quality 2023 1.15 29 -1
Rule of Law 2023 1.18 29 +6
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) 2023 7.34 23 -11
Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) 2023 9.9 159 +6
Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) 2023 9.2 50 0
Exports of goods and services (% of GDP) 2024 33.2 75 -31
GDP per capita (current US$) 2024 46,150 26 -8
GDP per capita, PPP (current international US$) 2024 61,322 28 -2
High-technology exports (current US$) 2023 115,256,032,667 8 +1
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP) 2024 34 85 -38
Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) 2024 2 114 -11
Life expectancy at birth, total (years) 2023 82.9 23 +4
Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000 live births) 2023 4.3 139 -6
Net migration 2024 90,527 20 -1
Patent applications, residents 2021 13,386 8 0
Population, total 2024 68,516,699 23 +2
Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines (% of population) 2021 15.6 43
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) 2022 2.5 91 +1
Renewable energy consumption (% of total final energy consumption) 2021 16.2 107 -1
Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) 2022 2.23 14 +1
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP) 2024 1.75 63 -59
Current account balance (% of GDP) 2024 0.392 49 -11
Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources 2021 21.6 67 +2
Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) 2023 5.65 74 +10
Current health expenditure (% of GDP) 2022 11.9 10 0
Domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP (current international US$) 2022 5,169 16 +4
Physicians (per 1,000 people) 2021 3.34 33 +1
Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) 2021 16.6 20 -12
Individuals using the Internet (% of population) 2023 86.8 47 +11
Control of Corruption 2023 1.18 28 +2
Government Effectiveness 2023 1.14 31 +9
Logistics performance index: Quality of trade and transport-related infrastructure (1=low to 5=high) 2022 3.8 8

Compare France to other countries

Demography and Health

France is a large, aging country with a population of about 68.5 million in 2024, ranking 23rd in size globally. It enjoys high life expectancy at birth, 82.9 years in 2023 (rank 23), reflecting strong health outcomes and biomedical systems. The crude birth rate sits at 9.9 per 1,000 people in 2023 (rank 159), signaling low fertility that accompanies aging and potential future labor and pension dynamics. The death rate is 9.2 per 1,000 (2023, rank 50), and mortality of children under five stands at 4.3 per 1,000 live births (2023, rank 139), indicating generally good child health but room for continued improvements in early-life outcomes. Net migration is positive in 2024 at 90,527 people (rank 20), suggesting that immigration contributes to population growth and could help balance aging trends. Health expenditure is substantial, with current health expenditure at 11.9% of GDP in 2022, and domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP, at 5,169 international dollars in 2022, pointing to strong public investment in health. The health workforce comprises about 3.34 physicians per 1,000 people (2021). The suicide mortality rate is 16.6 per 100,000 (2021), a data point that highlights ongoing attention to mental health. In the social domain, the poverty headcount at national poverty lines is 15.6% (2021), and 2.5% of the population experiences undernourishment (2022). Internet access is widespread, with 86.8% of individuals using the Internet (2023), supporting telemedicine and health information access. Overall, France combines high life expectancy and strong health spending with aging and migration dynamics that shape future health and social policy needs while maintaining solid indicators for health outcomes and access.

Economy

France is a high-income economy with a GDP per capita of 46,150 current US$ in 2024 and a GDP per capita, PPP of 61,322 international dollars. The country exhibits a sizable export sector, with goods and services exports at 33.2% of GDP in 2024 and imports at 34.0% of GDP, indicating a highly integrated economy with global trade. Inflation remains moderate at 2.0% in 2024, contributing to price stability. The unemployment rate is 7.33% in 2023, reflecting a relatively resilient labor market for a developed economy. France is a strong innovator, evidenced by high-technology exports totaling about 115.3 billion US$ in 2023 and 13,386 resident patent applications in 2021, underpinned by R&D expenditure at 2.23% of GDP in 2022. Foreign direct investment net inflows are 1.75% of GDP in 2024, signaling continued attractiveness to international capital. The current account balance is modestly positive at 0.392% of GDP in 2024, suggesting a balanced external position. The nation also allocates a notable portion of resources to defense, with military expenditure at about 61.3 billion US$ in 2023. Taken together, these indicators depict a diversified, technology-led economy with substantial global integration, steady inflows of investment, and stable macroeconomic conditions.

Trade and Investment

France demonstrates a strong openness to trade and capital. Exports of goods and services represent 33.2% of GDP in 2024, with imports at 34.0% of GDP, indicating a closely matched trade footprint and substantial participation in global value chains. Foreign direct investment net inflows amount to 1.75% of GDP in 2024, signaling ongoing international interest in French markets. The current account balance stands at 0.392% of GDP in 2024, reflecting a balanced external position. The logistics and trade environment is acknowledged as highly capable, with the Logistics Performance Index scoring 3.8 out of 5 in 2022 (rank 8), indicating robust trade and transport infrastructure. France is a leader in knowledge-intensive exports, evidenced by high-technology exports at roughly 115.3 billion US$ in 2023 and 13,386 patent applications by residents in 2021 (rank 8). Combined with a strong research and development base (2.23% of GDP in 2022), these trade and investment dynamics point to a country that heavily relies on innovation, services, and sophisticated manufacturing to compete globally.

Governance and Institutions

France’s governance landscape shows a mature system with nuanced performance across indicators. Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism is 0.344 in 2023, ranking 83, which indicates moderate stability relative to peers. Regulatory quality is 1.15 (rank 29), and the Rule of Law is 1.18 (rank 29), suggesting a solid but not exceptional regulatory and legal environment. Control of corruption is 1.18 (rank 28), and Government Effectiveness is 1.14 (rank 31), collectively signaling credible institutions capable of delivering public services and policy outcomes, though there is variation across governance dimensions. These figures are consistent with a stable, developed democracy that supports high levels of education, health, and innovation, while remaining attentive to governance reforms to address regional and political dynamics.

Infrastructure and Technology

France shows strong infrastructure and technological capabilities. The Logistics Performance Index scores 3.8 out of 5 in 2022, placing France among the higher-performing nations for trade and transport-related infrastructure (rank 8). Internet penetration is high, with 86.8% of the population online in 2023, enabling broad digital services and e-governance. The country’s innovation ecosystem is reinforced by 13,386 resident patent applications in 2021 (rank 8) and high-technology exports of around 115.3 billion US$ in 2023 (rank 8). Research and development expenditure accounts for 2.23% of GDP in 2022, underscoring sustained investment in knowledge creation. The health sector also benefits from a well-developed public funding framework, with domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP at 5,169 international dollars in 2022. Together, these indicators illustrate a modern economy with advanced digital connectivity, strong science and technology outputs, and a capable infrastructure backbone supporting productivity and innovation.

Environment and Sustainability

France’s environmental profile shows progress alongside ongoing challenges. Renewable energy constitutes 16.2% of total final energy consumption in 2021, indicating movement toward cleaner energy but leaving substantial share for fossil fuels and other sources. Per-capita greenhouse gas emissions, excluding LULUCF, are 5.65 t CO2e in 2023, reflecting a relatively high emissions footprint consistent with an industrialized economy that remains energy-intensive. Water stress, measured as freshwater withdrawal relative to available resources, is 21.6% in 2021, indicating moderate competition for water resources. The prevalence of undernourishment is low at 2.5% of the population in 2022, contributing to overall food security. France’s environmental and sustainability indicators thus point to an economy that is advancing the energy transition and efficiency while facing the typical challenges of decarbonization and resource management inherent to a high-income country.