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- Overview: One of the world's most developed economies, France
- has substantial agricultural resources and a highly diversified modern
- industrial sector. Large tracts of fertile land, the application of modern
- technology, and subsidies have combined to make it the leading agricultural
- producer in Western Europe. France is largely self-sufficient in agricultural
- products and is a major exporter of wheat and dairy products. The industrial
- sector generates about one-third of GDP and employs about one-third of the
- work force. During the period 1982-86 economic growth was sluggish, averaging
- only 1.4% annually. This trend was reversed by late 1987, however,
- with a strong expansion of consumer demand, followed by a surge in
- investment. The economy has had difficulty generating enough jobs for new
- entrants into the labor force, resulting in a high unemployment rate,
- but the upward trend in growth recently pushed the jobless rate below 10%.
- The steadily advancing economic integration within the European
- Community is a major force affecting the fortunes of the various economic
- sectors.
-
- GDP: $819.6 billion, per capita $14,600; real growth rate 3.4%
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