France’s economy expanded at a modest pace over the previous quarter in Q3. The acceleration over Q2 was driven by strong domestic demand. Latest indicators paint a mixed picture of the economy at the start of Q4. While in October, industrial production accelerated, the Composite PMI fell to a four-month low in December and business sentiment dropped to a five-month low in November. Meanwhile, the regional elections that took place on 6 and 13 December saw center-right party The Republicans (LR) led by former president Nicolas Sarkozy win 5 new regions; the party now governs a total of 7 continental regions. The ruling Socialist Party (PS) has been left with only 5 of the continental regions. Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Front (FN), despite getting the most votes in the first round, failed to win a single region as the electorate mobilized between the two rounds. These elections are seen as an important barometer for the approaching 2017 presidential elections and indicate a rebound of right wing parties in France.
France Economy Overview
France’s economy is the fifth largest in the world and represents around one fifth of the Euro area gross domestic product (GDP). Currently, services are the main contributor to the country’s economy, with over 70% of GDP stemming from this sector. In manufacturing, France is one of the global leaders in the automotive, aerospace and railway sectors as well as in cosmetics and luxury goods. Furthermore, France has a highly educated labor force and the highest number of science graduates per thousand workers in Europe.
In the external sector, France’s closest trading partner is Germany, which accounts for more than 17% of France’s exports and 19% of total imports. France’s primary exports are machinery and transportation equipment, aerospace equipment and plastics, while primary imports include machinery, automobiles and crude oil. Additionally, France is the most visited country in the world, making tourism a prominent sector in the economy.
Compared to its peers, the French economy endured the economic crisis relatively well. Protected, in part, by low reliance on external trade and stable private consumption rates, France’s GDP only contracted in 2009. However, recovery has been rather slow and high unemployment rates, especially among youth, remain a growing concern for policymakers. After the start of the crisis the economy stagnated and the country has had to face several economic challenges. Government tax revenue has dwindled and consumer purchasing power has declined. Policy makers have attempted to modernize the economy; however, this has been a difficult process. The former Sarkozy government became deeply unpopular, partially due to its reform agenda. Nonetheless, with a government budget deficit that is higher than the Euro-area average and low growth forecasts, the current Hollande government faces the challenge of restoring France’s public finances while encouraging economic growth.
Economic History
Following World War II, Charles De Gaulle’s center-left government implemented an economic policy of dirigisme while rebuilding the country. The state took control of certain key industries, including transportation, energy and communications, and set up a planning agency to regulate economic activity. The first national economic development plan, the Monnet Plan, and subsequent plans became a distinctive feature of France’s post-war economic policy. In addition, De Gaulle began the construction of a welfare state in France and established key institutions such as social security and works councils that remain today.
France’s post-war economic strategy proved to be successful and France entered “Les Trente Glorieuses” (“The Glorious Thirty”), a period of accelerated economic growth, experiencing high gains in productivity, GDP and real wages. In 1983, mounting public debt, inflationary pressure, and internal and external imbalances caused the French government to transition from “dirigisme” to enter an era” de la rigueur” or an era of privatization. The government began retreating from direct economic intervention, privatizing some state companies and adopting more market-orientated policies. However, remnants of “dirigisme” can still be found in the French economy today as the government continues to hold large stakes in a range of key sectors.
Throughout this time period, the French government, along with principal trade partner Germany, advocated increased European economic integration. France was a founding member of the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community, precursor organizations to the European Union. Further, France was one of the first countries to adopt the euro and the French economy remains highly integrated with Europe today.
In recent years, France, similar to many European nations, has experienced stagnating growth and fiscal challenges. Under former President Sarkozy, the country implemented austerity measures to tackle the budget deficit and public debt. However, France’s GDP has remained almost unchanged since 2011 and the unemployment rate remains high. To reinvigorate the French economy, current President Hollande faces the task of cutting public spending while spurring job creation.
Balance of payments
Since 2005, France has maintained a current account deficit, predominantly driven by trade in goods. Yet, in 2013, France’s trade deficit shrank to its lowest level since 2010, although this decrease was mainly caused by the fact that exports fell less rapidly than imports.
Correspondingly, capital inflows have also fluctuated in the past, typically driven by large amounts of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). France was ranked 10 in the world for incoming FDI in 2010 and has historically been a leading FDI destination. However, FDI experienced a large decline in 2013, contracting 77%. The countries with the largest investments in France are the United States, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Trade Structure
France is the second-largest exporter in Europe after its largest trading partner Germany. In particular, France consumes large amounts of imported consumer goods, which are less expensive than products “Made in France.” France is also a net importer of oil and remains sensitive to changes in prices.
France is a member of the European Union (EU) and follows a trade policy similar to other member states with a common EU weighted average tariff rate. Furthermore, France and other EU member states have a number of bilateral and regional trade agreements and are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). France is a relatively open economy; however, some barriers to trade are present. Among goods, many agricultural products are protected at the European level, a policy that France advocated, and French farmers have historically been dependent on government subsidies. France receives large amounts of FDI and investment regulations are generally transparent, although many bureaucratic impediments persist. In contrast, the financial sector is relatively closed, with only a few foreign banks operating in the country.
Exports from France
France exports a wide range of goods and services and has an export-to-GDP ratio close to 30%. France’s highest dollar value goods exports include machinery, aircraft and spacecraft, vehicles, electronic equipment and pharmaceutical products. Additionally, France is one of the world’s largest exporters of farm and agricultural products and is renowned for its wine, spirits and cheeses. The French government provides significant subsidies to this sector and France is the largest exporter of farm products in Europe. Among services, tourism is a key export and France is the most visited country in the world. Other key exported services include business services and transportation.
The majority of France’s exports are to European nations, with only around one-third of all exports going to economies outside Europe. France exports the largest amount of goods and services to Germany, followed by Belgium, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Outside of the European Union, the United States is the largest destination for French exports.
Imports to France
In recent years, France has been a net importer, consuming a large amount of imported goods and services. France’s top imports are machinery, vehicles, crude oil and aircrafts. Among services, the largest imports into France are transportation and travel services.
Similar to exports, the majority of imports are from European countries, which account for 68% of total imports. France’s main import partners are Germany, Belgium, Italy and Spain. Outside of the European Union, France imports the most goods from China . France, as a member of the EU, follows the common EU weighted average tariff rate on selected imports.
Economic Policy
Since the 1980s, the government of France has favored capitalism and market-orientated policies. The government has either partially or fully privatized many national industries, including Air France, France Telecom and Renault, and today France’s leaders remain committed to capitalism. However, the French government still plays a role in certain key national sectors, such as agriculture, and it will intervene in the market to moderate certain social economic inequalities.
Since the economic crisis, the government of France has had to re-evaluate this aspect of its economic policy. Despite recent changes to France’s policies, greater reform may be needed to kick-start the economy. France is ranked 141 out of 144 countries on “hiring and firing practices” according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report and many critics advocate for labor market reform. Further, France’s housing market is under stress due to high prices and low market activity. Notably, French economic policy decisions are influenced by common European Union policies and targets, as well as France’s membership in supranational organizations such as WTO and the G7.
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