Economic activity in France is forecast to gently accelerate, as a pick-up in world trade helps strengthen exports after a weak 2016. Rising headline inflation, however, is expected to dampen private consumption growth by eating into the purchasing power of households. Unemployment is set to continue its gradual decline. The general government deficit is expected to fall from 3.4% of GDP in 2016 to 3.0% in 2017.
| Indicators | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDP growth (%, yoy) | 1,3 | 1,2 | 1,4 | 1,7 |
| Inflation (%, yoy) | 0,1 | 0,3 | 1,4 | 1,3 |
| Unemployment (%) | 10,4 | 10,1 | 9,9 | 9,6 |
| Public budget balance (% of GDP) | -3,6 | -3,4 | -3,0 | -3,2 |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 95,6 | 96,0 | 96,4 | 96,7 |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -2,0 | -2,3 | -2,4 | -2,5 |