How Does France Compare to Other Countries
You will find in this section how France compares to its neighbours, what its key strengths are, and how it is ranked in the international competition.
France/Germany/United Kingdom: Comparisons from the latest institutional studies
Three large markets at the heart of the European market, the No. 1 largest global market.
Three attractive countries for international investments - France ranks 3rd globally with $123.6 billion of foreign direct investment in 2007 (according to UNCTAD) behind the United Kingdom ($171.1 billion) and ahead of Germany (8th rank with $44.8 billion)
Among these three markets thrives strong competition to attract foreign investors. France boasts continuing significant and numerous advantages, which it continues to build on, especially in the areas of innovation and attracting talent.
France: A low-cost, diversified and high quality real estate offering
Considered the most dynamic market in Europe, the business real estate market in France has broken the record for transactions volume (2.8 million sq. m of office space distributed in 2006 and 2.6 million sq. m in 2007) and investments totaling € 28.5 billion in 2007. Some 76% of this investment volume is office space, 11% is linked to logistic and industrial sector real estate and 13% is related to trade real estate. Therefore, the French market is attractive to international investors, who represent 65% of building purchasers in France (which includes 28% of North American funds – the leading investor in this market).
Paris-London Benchmark
As two of the most important economic hubs in the world, Paris and London are top-choice destinations for international investors in Europe. Both cities boast talented workers, productive labor forces and world-class infrastructure. When overall key living and business factors are compared, Paris offers many advantages over London. It has a modern and efficient transportation network, and is centrally located in the heart of Europe and the single European market.
As the world’s leading tourist destination (78 million tourists in 2006), France is a diverse nation, with a high standard of living that complements the economic benefits of Paris. The cost of setting up a business in London has now reached a very high level, giving Paris a significant competitive edge.
- Paris-London Benchmark [pdf - 157 Ko]
- Other languages
France: World-Class Infrastructure
France's central location in the heart of Europe, the world's largest market, offers international investors a strategic point of access into other EU markets.
- France: World-Class Infrastructure [pdf - 405 Ko]
- Other languages
Comparison between income tax rates in France and the United Kingdom
Case study: Income tax to be paid by a single person, a couple with no children, and a couple with two childre in the United Kingdom and in France; income is considered as being received by only one person in the couple (which is frequently the case for expatriates).
Contact
Invest in France Agency Paris
Sarah BONY
Benchmarks and Information
Send an e-mail
+33 1 40 74 74 10
Carol MARTEAU
Benchmarks and Information
Send an e-mail
+33 1 40 74 74 12
Publications
- 10 reasons to invest in France
[ppt - 5 Mo] - 10 Myths About France
[ppt - 526 Ko] - France welcomes investment and talent from all over the world
[pdf - 3 Mo] - The reality of international reports and scoreboards
[pdf - 1 Mo]