Country Profile-Part Four

FRANCE

International Trade (What? How much? To whom? From Whom?)

a. Exports

Exports in France averaged 17248.35 EUR Million from 1970-2014

France is one of the largest exporters of luxury goods and agricultural products in the world. 

Main exports: aircrafts, food, chemicals, industrial machinery, iron and steel, electronics, motor vehicles, and pharmaceuticals. 

Main export partners are: Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, United Kingdom, United States, Netherlands, and China. 

b. Imports

Imports in France decreased to 39609 EUR Million in February of 2014 from 41923 EUR Million in January of 2014. 

France main imports are: fuel, electronics, chemicals, metal products, industrial and agricultural machinery, cars, food and clothing. 

Main import partners are: Germany, China, Belgium, Italy, Spain, United States, United Kingdom

Exchange rate (current value, recent history)

1 Euro = 1.38 US Dollars

Recent news on the Euro: On Jan 1, 2014, Latvia became the 18th nation to adopt the euro.

Lithuania is expected to adopt the Euro in 2015. 

Immigration/emigration (from where? to where? how much?)

There are an estimated 11.8 million foreign-born immigrants (and direct descendants) living in France. 

More than 5.5 million are of European origin and about 4 million are of Maghrebi origin. 

In percentages, 42% of immigrants are from Africa, 38% from Europe, 14% from Asia, and 5% from America and Oceania

France has a very low emigration rate. However one out of four French university graduates wants to emigrate.  With most people moving to other countries in Europe. 

The French net migration rate (migrants/10000 population) was 1 as of 2012

Relations with other countries (recent or historical conflicts, allies)

France is a founding member of the United Nations

Main allies: German, Italy, United States

recent conflicts: France is currently engaged in an armed conflict in Afghanistan (fighting against the US)

Basque Separatist Conflict: the rebel group called Basque Fatherland and Liberty guerrilla group has waged an urban guerrilla movement for independence from Spain and southwestern France.

Sources

tradingeconomics.com/france

wikipedia.com