Why choose France

France’s geographical location makes it a real hub for serving European and African markets.

• The world’s seventh largest economy and second largest in the EU in 2024
• Fourth in Europe for good exports sales revenues in 2024

Driven by several structural reforms, France now has a more streamlined administrative environment, making life easier for businesses and investors.

Did you know?

France is ranked among the countries where business creation is the fastest: four days are needed to create a business, compared with eight days in Germany and 10 days in Switzerland.

(Source: Institute for Management Development (IMD) – Lausanne Institute – 2024)

France ranks first among European countries in terms of public support for corporate R&D.

• Second country in Europe for patent filings in 2024
• Seventh country with the highest number of researchers (2025): 12 researchers per 1,000 employees, compared to 10.8 in Germany and 10 in the United States.
• R&D and engineering account for more than a quarter of foreign investment projects in France in 2024 (with priority given to AI and decarbonization).

Did you know?

The research tax credit aims to support business R&D, without restrictions on sector or size. The credit is 30% of R&D expenditure up to €100 million. It is one of the most generous R&D tax support schemes in the OECD, making France one of the most attractive countries in the world for innovation.

France guarantees businesses largely decarbonized and competitive electricity supply, while pursuing its target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

• France remains the leading nuclear power plant operator in Europe.
• In 2024, 94% of the electricity produced in France came from decarbonized sources (nuclear and renewables).

Driven by the France 2030 plan, nearly €27 billion has already been mobilized to support the decarbonization of industry.

France offers high-quality higher education based on research and innovation.

• 27 French universities are ranked among the world's top 1,000 (including 3 in the top 50) in the 2025 Shanghai Ranking of World Universities.
• The country ranks among the top 10 in the world for hosting international students in 2024.
• 43% of the 25- to 64-years old age group held a higher education diploma in 2024

This academic and scientific influence makes France a breeding ground for excellence and talent, recognized throughout the world.

Labor productivity in France remains among the highest in the world, reflecting an efficient and innovative production system.

In 2024, average hourly productivity stands at €66.2 per hour worked (in purchasing power parity), compared with €54.1 in Spain, €53.7 in Italy, and €43.8 in Poland.

France stands out for having some of the most efficient transport, energy, and telecommunications infrastructure in Europe, supporting the country's competitiveness and attractiveness.

• Second largest rail network in Europe and largest high-speed network in Europe
• Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport: largest airport in the European Union in 2025
• Six major seaports (Le Havre, Marseille-Fos, Dunkirk, Nantes-Saint-Nazaire, Bordeaux, La Rochelle) connecting France to the rest of the world
• Europe's fastest average internet speed and second fastest in the world in 2024

All figures on this page are taken from the “Key indicators of French economic attractiveness 2025”, published by Business France