France: Introduction

Total Population: 68,287,487

Natural Increase: 0.3%

Density: 124 Inhabitants/km²

Urban Population: 81.8%

Population of main metropolitan areas: Paris (2,175,700); Marseille (868,300); Lyon (518,700); Toulouse (486,900); Nice (341,100); Nantes (314,200); Montpellier (290,100); Strasbourg (284,700); Bordeaux (257,100); Lille (233,100)

Ethnic Origins: 87.4% of the French population was born in France, 12.6% abroad (French born abroad, immigrants who have acquired French nationality or immigrants with foreign nationality). The French population is composed of a large proportion of people of Celtic and Latin origin with minorities from the Maghreb, Africa and Asia. (INSEE)

Official Language: French

Other Languages Spoken: The regional languages (Breton, Occitan, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Alsation, Picard, etc.) are only spoken locally and by a minority of French people.

Business Language(s): Although French is the official language in France, many businesspeople speak English. However, depending on the type, geographical location and sector of activity of the company, it may be difficult to find someone who speaks English. Being able to communicate and negotiate in French provides a distinct advantage.

Religion: Catholics 62%, Protestants 1%, Jews 1%, Muslims 6%, without a religion 26%.

Area: 549,087 km²

Type of State: France is a Republic, parliamentary democracy combined with presidential power.

Type of Economy: High-income economy, OECD member, G8 member.
The world's leading tourist destination; one of the world's top ten export powers; a relatively high unemployment rate

HDI*: 0.888/1

HDI (World Rank): 22/188

Telephone Code:
To call from France, dial 00
To call France, dial +33

Internet Suffix: .fr

Computers: 65.2 per 100 Inhabitants

Telephone Lines: 61.9 per 100 Inhabitants

Internet Users: 83.0 per 100 Inhabitants

Access to Electricity: 100% of the Population