France

A member of the G8 group of leading industrialised countries, it is ranked as the fifth largest economy by nominal GDP.France joined 11 other EU members to launch the euro on 1 January 1999, with euro coins and banknotes completely replacing the French franc in early 2002. France’s economy combines extensive private enterprise (nearly 2.5 million companies registered) with substantial (though declining) government intervention. The government retains considerable influence over key segments of infrastructure sectors, with majority ownership of railway, electricity, aircraft, and telecommunications firms. It has been gradually relaxing its control over these sectors since the early 1990s. The government is slowly selling off holdings in France T?l?com, Air France, as well as the insurance, banking, and defence industries. France has an important aerospace industry led by the European consortium Airbus, and has its own national spaceport, the Centre Spatial Guyanais.

Demographic Data

Economic Data

Cultural & Other Data

GDP (PPP, $bn)

2097

Capital

Paris

Area (sq. km.)

377,835

GDP Real

Growth (%)

0.7

Other Large Cities

Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse

Population (million)

64

PerCap GDP ($)

32,700

Primary Language

French

Population

Growth %

0.549

Prime Lending

Rate (%)

6.6

Urban

Population %

77

% Population

Under 15yrs

18.6

Inflation Rate%

1

Urban Growth %

0.8

Population below

poverty line (%)

6.2

Unemployment%

7.4

Literacy

(% of population)

99

Agricultural Workers

(% of population)

4

Foreign Direct

Investment($bn)

1234

Education spending

as % of GDP

5.7

Industrial Workers

(% of population)

24

Debt-External

($bn)

5370

CPI Score

(1-10)*

6.9

Service Workers

(% of population)

72

Exports ($bn)

761

Corporate Income Tax %

33.33

Labor Force (mil)

28.5

Imports ($bn)

833

Ease of Doing

Business Ranking **

31

CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE

05/08/09 $1 = 0.75 Euro

Franchising Laws Overview

Disclosure laws:

  • Disclosure must be provided 20 days prior to signing or payment of money.

Relationship laws:

  • None.

Registration laws:

  • None.
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