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The BasicsPolitics & Economy
- In recent years, France has been at the forefront of Europe’s economic integration (including the introduction of a common currency, the Euro, in 1999) as well as efforts to develop the EU’s military capabilities, in order to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy.
- Domestically, France is in the midst of transition from an economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms; to this end, the government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers.
- The tax burden in France remains one of the highest in Europe, at nearly 50% of GDP in 2005. The lingering economic slowdown combined with inflexible budget items probably pushed the budget deficit above the Eurozone's 3%-of-GDP limit in 2006.
- Conservative President Jacques Chirac was replaced in 2007 by conservative Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) candidate Nicolas Sarkozy, who narrowly won the election over Ségolène Royal of the Socialist Party. The center-right UMP has led the government since 2005.
The Stats:The Population
Population: 63,713,926 (60,876,136 in metropolitan France)
Pop. growth rate: 0.588%
Birth rate (per 1,000): 12.91 births
Fertility rate (children born per woman): 1.98
The Economy
GDP: $1.902 trillion
GDP growth rate: 2.20%
Per capita income: $31,200
Unemployment rate: 8.70%
Poverty rate: 6.20%
The Workforce
Labor force: 27.88 million
By sector
Agriculture: 4.10%
Industry: 24.40%
Services: 71.50%
Female labor force participation: 62.50%
Male labor force participation: 73.80%
Percent of women working part-time: 22.80%
Percent of men working part-time: 4.70%
Pecent of children 3 to mandatory school-age in formal child care: 99%
Work-Life in France:National Work Policies
Paid maternity leave: 16 weeks at 100% of earnings (up to 26 weeks at100% for third child)
Paid paternity leave: 2 weeks
Unpaid maternity leave: Share of 2 years with father
Unpaid paternity leave: Share of 2 years with mother To read some thoughts on our experiences in France, check out the following blogs: "Lessons Learned: A Retrospective of Gross Generalizations" "The Importance of Earning" "The Uncaring Father"
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