Читать книгу The 2009 CIA World Factbook - United States. Central Intelligence Agency - Страница 535

consulate(s) general: Marseille, Strasbourg

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French dependent areas

Economy ::France

Economy - overview:

France is in the midst of transition from a well-to-do modern economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers, and has ceded stakes in such leading firms as Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. It maintains a strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector is gradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and welfare. Widespread opposition to labor reform has in recent years hampered the government's ability to revitalize the economy. During 2007–08, the government implemented several important labor reforms, including a de facto extension of the 35-hour workweek by allowing employees to work longer overtime hours. During 2009, the government is expected to delay or even renounce other reform efforts due to the on-going financial crisis. GDP growth dropped to 0.3% in 2008; the French government plans to increase public investment and continue injecting capital into the banking sector to alleviate the negative effects of the crisis during 2009. As a result of lower fiscal revenues and increased expenditures the general government deficit is expected to exceed the euro-zone ceiling 3% of GDP. France's tax burden remains one of the highest in Europe - at nearly 50% of GDP in 2005. With at least 75 million foreign tourists per year, France is the most visited country in the world and maintains the third largest income in the world from tourism.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.133 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $2.126 trillion (2007 est.)

$2.078 trillion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$2.867 trillion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 2.3% (2007 est.)

2.4% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$33,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $33,400 (2007 est.)

$32,800 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 2%

industry: 20.4%

services: 77.6% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

27.97 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 3.8%

industry: 24.3%

services: 71.8% (2005)

Unemployment rate:

7.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 7.9% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

6.2% (2004)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 24.8% (2004)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

32.7 (2008) country comparison to the world: 98 32.7 (1995)

Investment (gross fixed):

21.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Budget:

revenues: $1.407 trillion

expenditures: $1.506 trillion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

68.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 67.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 1.5% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 94 5% (31 December 2007)

note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

8.13% (31 December 2008)

Stock of money: