France

World Book Index

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 (2024 est.)

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 (Provençal, 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: Sébastien LECORNU (since 10 September 2025)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Laurent BILI (since 19 April 2023)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Charles KUSHNER (since 11 July 2025); note - also accredited to Monaco

Economy

Economic overview
high-income, advanced EU economy and eurozone member; 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)
$3.732 trillion (2024 est.)
$3.689 trillion (2023 est.)
$3.655 trillion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$54,500 (2024 est.)
$54,000 (2023 est.)
$53,700 (2022 est.)

Exports
$1.071 trillion (2024 est.)
$1.05 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.021 trillion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
Germany 11%, Italy 9%, USA 8%, Belgium 8%, Spain 7% (2023)

Exports - commodities
aircraft, cars, packaged medicine, gas turbines, vehicle parts/accessories (2023)

Imports
$1.074 trillion (2024 est.)
$1.094 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.092 trillion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
Germany 15%, Belgium 11%, Netherlands 9%, Spain 8%, Italy 8% (2023)

Imports - commodities
cars, natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, garments (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.920, ranking it 26th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 50th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 6.195. (more information)