Country report France 2017

 

 

The insolvency environment

Despite decreases in 2016 and 2017, the insolvency level remains high 

French business insolvencies decreased by about 8% in 2016, and in 2017 another 5% decline is expected, in line with the on-going (albeit modest) economic rebound. However, with more than 58,000 cases in 2016 the number of business insolvencies was still about 5% higher than in 2008.

 

 

Economic situation

Growth expected to remain below eurozone average

 

After several years of feeble GDP increases of less than 1%, in 2015 and 2016 the French economy grew 1.2% annually. However, this growth rate remained below the eurozone average (1.6% growth in 2016).

 

In 2017 and 2018 French economic growth is expected to increase only modestly, by 1.3% and 1.4% respectively; again below the eurozone average. Productivity remains an issue in the French manufacturing sector.

Unemployment, at least, shows a decreasing trend, which should benefit private consumption.

 

The 2008 credit crisis, subsequent government stimulus measures, and France’s only modest recovery have led to a sharp increase in public debt in recent years, up to 93% of GDP in 2016 from 67% of GDP in 2008. The French government has repeatedly missed meeting the Maastricht deficit threshold of 3% of GDP. Despite some austerity programmes, more measures to curb public spending are required, as public spending in France is the highest in the eurozone (57% of GDP).