Invest in France Agency international Office

With a GDP of 481 billion euros in 2005 (nearly the equivalent of the Netherlands, Taiwan or the State of Florida), a population of 11.3 million and over 5 million jobs, the vitality of the Paris Ile-de-France region is undeniable.

With one of the best passenger and freight transport networks in the world and a prime geographical location, Ile-de-France offers efficient modes of transportation. It is the 2nd leading air transportation platform in Europe. Ile-de-France also has the most extensive and modern railway network in the world, linking it just a few hours away from 145 different French destinations and European capital cities. The high speed TGV network is a highly efficient and diverse local transportation system.

Ile-de-France is unquestionably one of the major economic decision centers in Europe, since it has the world’s 2nd highest concentration of companies ranked among the Fortune 500 (2005 edition).

Ile-de-France offers companies a diverse and economical range of real estate: office space, industrial facilities, logistics platforms, laboratories, commercial properties, etc.  With 49 million m² of office space, 30 million m² of business premises and 29 million m² of warehouse facilities, Ile-de-France has the biggest commercial real estate park in Europe.

Manpower in the Paris Ile-de-France region is among the best qualified in the European Union. More than a quarter of the population has a university qualification or equivalent. Further education establishments have an intake of approximately 600 000 students each year. One in every four jobs in the region is held by a “cadre” (management) or a higher education graduate. The Paris Ile-de-France region is characterized by the youth of its working population due to high birth rates and a positive influx of young people on the employment market.

Ile-de-France accounts for 7.5% of the total number of research scientists in Europe (25 members), which is the highest rate in Europe after London. This economic and scientific vitality is largely supported by private research activities that are heavily concentrated in the area, which can be seen from the public policy to provide support for technology and innovation based clusters.

Ile-de-France has a recognized capacity to attract foreign talent. There are approximately 724,000 expatriates of 100 different nationalities working in the region. Among these, over 9,200 research scientists are working in public-sector research laboratories.

Ile-de-France is the leading French region for inward FDI. In 2006, foreign investment led to the creation of 9,000 jobs, which is 22.5% of the total job creation from inward FDI in France. Ile-de-France’s strengths include business service activities, commercial and financial services, and software, representing over half the jobs created in the region in 2006. The region specializes in business services, commercial real estate, administrative services and company headquarters. However, the region only accounted for a small percentage of jobs created in manufacturing in France in 2006.

Lastly, the Paris Ile-de-France region offers an exceptional living environment with its preserved natural, architectural and cultural heritage. With 43 million tourists and 11.3 business visitors in 2003, the Paris Ile-de-France region is by far the most visited destination in the world.