France
France is a leading Western European power known for its extensive cultural heritage and global diplomatic influence. Current estimates show a population of approximately 68.9 million with a GDP per capita of around $47,207, reflecting its status as one of the world's most advanced economies.
Where is France?
France
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- France
- Coordinates
- 46.00°, 2.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 69M
- Area
- 543,908 km²
- Density per km²
- 127 / km²
- Growth rate
- +0.26%
- Annual growth
- +180.5K people
- Daily growth
- +494.64 people
- World population share
- 0.85%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for France
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Paris
- Region
- Europe
- Area
- 543,908 km²
- Languages
- French
- Currency
- euro (€)
- Timezones
- UTC-10:00, UTC-09:30, UTC-09:00, UTC-08:00, UTC-04:00, UTC-03:00, UTC+01:00, UTC+02:00, UTC+03:00, UTC+04:00, UTC+05:00, UTC+10:00, UTC+11:00, UTC+12:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Neighboring Countries
Economy
France possesses a highly diversified economy, driven by key sectors such as aerospace, luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, and tourism. The nation holds the 7th largest nominal GDP globally and ranks 3rd within Europe, with a recent annual growth rate of 1.19%. Current data indicates an unemployment rate of 7.542%, placing the country at a global rank of 57 for the lowest unemployment levels. While it remains a central economic pillar of the European Union, the latest ranking for GDP per capita places France 33rd globally and 8th within the subregion of Western Europe.
Society
Social indicators in France reflect a high standard of living, with life expectancy at birth reaching approximately 83 years, which ranks the nation 24th globally. The country maintains a fertility rate of 1.61 births per woman and a crude birth rate of 9.7 per 1,000 people. Digital infrastructure is robust, with approximately 88.7% of the population being internet users, a figure that ranks 70th worldwide. Public policy focuses heavily on social security and education, supporting a population density of approximately 127.9 people per km² (331.3 people per sq mi).
Climate & Environment
France experiences a predominantly temperate climate, though it varies significantly from the oceanic influences of the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean conditions in the south. The interior features hot summers and cold winters, while the high altitudes of the Alps and Pyrenees maintain alpine climates with heavy snowfall in winter. Mountainous regions include the highest peak in the country, Mont Blanc, which stands at 4,810 m (15,781 ft).
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- semi-presidential republic
- Independence
- 1958-10-04 (null)
France is governed as a semi-presidential republic, a system established by the Constitution of the Fifth Republic on 4 October 1958. This political structure divides executive authority between the President, who is the head of state and elected by direct universal suffrage, and the Prime Minister, who serves as the head of government. The legislative branch consists of a bicameral parliament made up of the National Assembly and the Senate. The National Assembly holds the power to dismiss the government through a motion of censure. France is a founding member of the European Union and holds a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, exerting significant influence in international diplomacy. Its legal framework is based on a civil law system primarily derived from the Napoleonic Code. The country maintains a highly centralized administrative structure, though recent decades have seen some devolution of power to regional and local authorities.
History
Historically rooted in the Roman province of Gaul, France emerged as a unified kingdom under the Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties, most notably under Charlemagne. The Middle Ages and Renaissance saw the consolidation of royal power and the country's emergence as a dominant European force, despite prolonged conflicts like the Hundred Years' War. The French Revolution of 1789 marked a pivotal turning point, replacing absolute monarchy with a republic and introducing the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Following the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte's empire, the 19th century was characterized by a succession of monarchies, empires, and republics. During the 20th century, France endured the heavy toll of World War I and the German occupation during World War II. Charles de Gaulle played a crucial role in the liberation and the subsequent founding of the Fifth Republic in 1958, which provided the modern political stability seen today. Since the 1950s, France has been a primary architect of European integration and a leader in the development of the European Union, balancing its global diplomatic ambitions with significant domestic social and technological modernization.
Notable Facts
- Mont Blanc is the highest peak in the country, reaching an elevation of 4810 m (15781 ft) in the French Alps.
- The nation has a total coastline of 4853 km (3015 mi) and shares land borders with eight different countries including Spain, Italy, and Belgium.
- France operates across multiple time zones due to its overseas departments, ranging from UTC-10:00 to UTC+02:00.
- The official 2024 population is 68551653, with approximately 78.8% of residents living in urban centers like the capital, Paris.
- French is the sole official language, though various regional dialects and minority languages are spoken in border areas and overseas territories.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Mont Blanc (4,810 m)
- Lowest Point
- Rhone River delta (-2 m)
- Coastline
- 4,853 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in FranceExplore weather and climate data for cities in France
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Paris
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C / 3°C | 4°C / -1°C | 11days (73 mm) Wet | 3.7h Poor | 88% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| February | 10°C / 4°C | 7°C / 0°C | 10days (52 mm) Wet | 5.3h Fair | 82% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| March | 13°C / 5°C | 10°C / 1°C | 13days (62 mm) Wet | 7.9h Good | 75% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| April | 16°C / 6°C | 14°C / 3°C | 10days (50 mm) Wet | 10.3h Excellent | 69% Muggy | Good | View Details |
| May | 20°C / 10°C | 19°C / 8°C | 11days (62 mm) Wet | 11.3h Excellent | 71% Muggy | Good | View Details |
| June best | 24°C / 14°C | 24°C / 13°C | 11days (74 mm) Wet | 12.1h Excellent | 70% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| July best | 26°C / 15°C | 25°C / 14°C | 9days (60 mm) Wet | 11.7h Excellent | 67% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| August best | 26°C / 15°C | 26°C / 15°C | 9days (50 mm) Wet | 10.9h Excellent | 69% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| September best | 22°C / 13°C | 22°C / 12°C | 11days (65 mm) Wet | 9h Good | 75% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| October | 17°C / 10°C | 16°C / 8°C | 14days (98 mm) Wet | 6.4h Fair | 84% Humid | Good | View Details |
| November | 12°C / 6°C | 9°C / 3°C | 10days (53 mm) Wet | 4.8h Fair | 88% Very Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| December | 9°C / 4°C | 6°C / 1°C | 12days (77 mm) Wet | 3.4h Poor | 90% Very Muggy | Poor | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 8°C / 3°C . Feb: 10°C / 4°C . Mar: 13°C / 5°C . Apr: 16°C / 6°C . May: 20°C / 10°C . Jun: 24°C / 14°C . Jul: 26°C / 15°C . Aug: 26°C / 15°C . Sep: 22°C / 13°C . Oct: 17°C / 10°C . Nov: 12°C / 6°C . Dec: 9°C / 4°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 73 mm. Feb: 52 mm. Mar: 62 mm. Apr: 50 mm. May: 62 mm. Jun: 74 mm. Jul: 60 mm. Aug: 50 mm. Sep: 65 mm. Oct: 98 mm. Nov: 53 mm. Dec: 77 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of France is approximately 69M (2024).
The capital of France is Paris.
France's GDP per capita is $47.2K (2024).
Life expectancy in France is 82.98 years (2024).
France covers 543,908 km² (210,004 sq mi).
France has a moderate population density of 127 people per km², close to the global average of 60.
France's population is growing slowly at 0.3% per year, below the global average.
Yes — based on GDP per capita, France falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $47.2K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
France reports a low intentional homicide rate of 1.3 per 100,000 people, below the global average.
The official language of France is French.
France uses the euro (€) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit France are June, July, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.
Current estimates show the population of France is approximately 68.9 million. According to the latest data, France is the 23rd most populous country in the world and the 4th largest in Europe by population size.
The current GDP per capita in France is estimated at $47,207. This figure ranks the nation 33rd globally and 20th within the European region, supported by a diverse economy and strong industrial base.
The latest figures indicate an unemployment rate of 7.542% in France. In terms of global rankings, France holds the 57th position when ordered by the lowest unemployment rates.
Recent data shows that approximately 88.7% of the French population are internet users. This level of digital connectivity ranks the country 70th globally for internet usage percentage.
France covers a total land area of 543,908 km² (210,004 sq mi). It features a vast coastline of 4,853 km (3,016 mi) and shares land borders with eight other European nations.
The fertility rate in France is 1.61 births per woman, according to recent estimates. This is coupled with a crude birth rate of 9.7 births per 1,000 people and an annual population growth rate of approximately 0.26%.
The latest ranking places France as global 23 of 215 countries and territories. Regionally, it ranks 4th of 47 countries in Europe and 2nd of 8 in Western Europe. This high ranking reflects its status as one of the largest and most influential nations in the European Union.
The estimated population density of France is 127.9 people per km² (331.3 per sq mi). This density ranks the country 86th globally and 18th in Europe. While major cities are very crowded, the country has vast areas of rural territory with significantly lower concentrations of people.
The population is currently growing at an annual rate of 0.26%. This growth is driven by a natural increase of roughly 57 more births than deaths each day, along with net migration of about 492 people daily. Unlike some neighbors, France has avoided overall population decline.
Recent data indicates that 78.8% of the French population lives in urban areas. This urbanization rank is global 64 of 215, showing that the majority of residents are concentrated in metropolitan centers. Urban living has been the dominant trend in the country since the mid 20th century.
All Indicators
Explore France's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
Health
Education
Environment
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Infrastructure
Geography
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