France

Basic Information

68.88 million

Area

Population

Workforce

Language

Political System

Currency

Membership

31.21 million

French

Parliamentary democracy

Euro (EUR)

EU, OECD, NATO, OSCE, G7, G20, UN, Schengen Agreement, Council of Europe…

Paris

Capital

638,475 sqkm

Czech Republic
Poland
Slovakia
Germany
France
Hungary
Germany
Spain
United Kingdom
Ireland

Romania
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Slovenia
Italy
Bulgaria
Austria
Croatia
Belgium
Portugal
Malta
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Greece
Sweden
Denmark
Finland
Cyprus

Malta
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Greece
Sweden
Denmark
Finland
Cyprus

France is a country on the Mediterranean Sea, the English Channel and the North Sea in Western Europe bordered by Spain, Andorra, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium.

The chemical industry is a key sector for France, helping to develop other manufacturing activities and contributing to economic growth. France's tourism industry is a major component of the economy, as France is the most visited destination in the world.

France is the third largest economy in the EU by GDP after Germany and UK as of 2021. Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the UK and Switzerland are the main investors in France, and represent more than 50% of the FDI stock. Germany, the US, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Finland and Japan are the other main investing countries as of 2021. FDI inflows in 2021 were mainly oriented towards the manufacturing industry (computer, electronic and optical products, refining, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, and agro-food industries), real estate, finance and insurance, retail trade, transport, information and communication.
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Major Industries

Iron & Steel

Automotive

Construction

Aviation

Tourism

Major Trade Partners

Export

Germany, China, Belgium, USA, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, UK, Switzerland, Poland

Import

Germany, USA, Italy, Belgium, Spain, UK, China, Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland

Reasons to Invest

World-class infrastructures
A leading and open economy
High hourly labor productivity rate
7th largest economy in the World (2021)

High quality of life, cultural and tourist activities
Lower set-up and operating costs than in the United States, Germany or Japan
Attractive tax reductions

115.6%

4,348 USD

General government debt (GDP, 2025)

Long-term interest rates
(10Y government bonds, 12/2025)

Average inflation rate (2025)

Labour productivity (index, 2025)

Unemployment rate (avg. 2025)

Nominal annual average wage growth rate (2025)

3.35%

1.175 A+

0.9%

107.2 7.7%

1.76%

0.85%

Real annual average wage growth rate (2025)

GDP growth (constant prices, 2025)

0.8%

3,700 EUR

Average nominal monthly gross wage in EUR
(2025)

Average nominal monthly gross wage in USD
(2025)

Exchange rate - EUR / USD (31/12/2025)

Credit rating (S&P, 4/2026)

Economic Indicators

35 hours / week (legal); max 10 hours / day

45% +

Maximum Working Hours

Maximum Overtime Hours

Compensation for Overtime / Holiday Work

Minimum Number of Paid Holidays

Sick Days

Maternity Leave

Parental Leave

Social Security (Companies)

Notice Period

Social Security (Employees)

Probation Period

Labour Union
(Proportion of Employee / Collective Bargaining Coverage)

48 hours / week max (44 hours average over 12 consecutive weeks)

20%

25% for the first 8 overtime hours / week; 50% beyond (min. 10% by agreement)

5 weeks (2.5 working days per month worked)

maximum 3 years

23.0%

Less than 6 months: no statutory minimum
Less than 2 years: 1 month
Over 2 years: 2 months

14.2%

Workers and employees: 2 months
Supervisors and technicians: 3 months
Executives: 4 months

10.1% / 98%

Sick pay without first 3 days

16 weeks (6 weeks before + 10 weeks after birth)

Minimum Wage (1/2026)

1,823.03 EUR / month (2025); 12.02 EUR / hour (2026)

26.5%

Corporate Tax

Income Tax

Value Added Tax (VAT)

Other Tax

Local economic contribution (CET: CFE + CVAE), Local property tax (taxe foncière), Registration duties, Customs and excise duties

Taxation System

Labour Regulations

Source: World Atlas, Trading Economics, Eurostat, World Bank, Inflation EU, Exchange Rate ORG, OECD