Introduction
Background
France is one of the most modern countries in the world and a leader among European nations. It plays an influential global role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, NATO, the G-7, the G-20, the EU, and other multilateral organizations.
Geography
Area
total : 643,801 sq km
land: 640,427 sq km
water: 3,374 sq km
Climate
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 the mistral
Natural resources
metropolitan France: coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, arable land, fish; French Guiana: gold deposits, petroleum, kaolin, niobium, tantalum, clay
People and Society
Population
total: 68,374,591
Ethnic groups
Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African (Algerian, Moroccan, Tunisian), Indochinese, Basque minorities
Languages
French (official) 100%, declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish, Occitan, Picard)
Religions
Roman Catholic 47%, Muslim 4%, Protestant 2%, Buddhist 2%, Orthodox 1%, Jewish 1%, other 1%, none 33%, unspecified 9% (2021 est.)
Population growth rate
0.2% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Capital
name: Paris
Executive branch
chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017)
head of government: Prime Minister Michel BARNIER (since 5 September 2024)
Legislative branch
summary: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (348 seats) and the National Assembly (577 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Laurent BILI (since 19 April 2023)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Denise Campbell BAUER (since 5 February 2022); note - also accredited to Monaco
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, advanced and diversified EU economy and euro user; strong tourism, aircraft manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and industrial sectors; high public debt; ongoing pension reform efforts; transitioning to a green economy via "France 2030" strategy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$3.764 trillion (2023 est.)
$3.738 trillion (2022 est.)
$3.648 trillion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$55,200 (2023 est.)
$55,000 (2022 est.)
$53,800 (2021 est.)
Exports
$1.052 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.013 trillion (2022 est.)
$925.551 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 13%, Italy 9%, US 8%, Belgium 8%, Spain 8% (2022)
Exports - commodities
aircraft, packaged medicine, cars, natural gas, vehicle parts/accessories (2022)
Imports
$1.099 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.103 trillion (2022 est.)
$963.999 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
Germany 15%, Belgium 9%, Spain 8%, Italy 8%, Netherlands 8% (2022)
Imports - commodities
natural gas, cars, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, garments (2022)
Page last updated: Thursday, September 05, 2024
