French economy pocket atlas – March 2025

BNP Paribas Team BNP Paribas

This section provides a monthly overview of the main economic data for France and a comparison with other European countries.

In addition to the comparative table, which presents the key economic data for each economy studied (France, Eurozone, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and the United Kingdom), other summary tables of indicators enrich the comparison.

Population, employment and the labour market data: Number of inhabitants, unemployment rate, participation rate,monthly minimum wage, effective working hours, etc. Data are provided by the European Commission (AMECO), Eurostat, Insee (France), the OECD and the ONS (United Kingdom).

Activity data by economic sectors: Market and non-market services, industry (energy and manufacturing sectors excluding construction), private consumption, business investment (gross fixed capital formation in the private sector excluding housing), exports of goods and services. Data are from the national accounts (baseline year: 2015). They are provided by the European Commission (AMECO), Eurostat, Insee (France)and the OECD.

General government data: Fiscal balance, total spending, debt service, public debt (Maastricht definition). These data are provided by the European Commission, Eurostat and Insee.

External accounts data. These are provided by the European Commission, Eurostat and Central banks.

Data on inflation (harmonised consumer prices from Eurostat), credit (consumers and companies) and interest rates. These data are provided by the European Commission, Eurostat and Central Banks.

Data on the accounts of non-financial companies are provided by Eurostat: wages, gross wages, social security contributions, gross operating income, gross disposable income, investment, self-financing ratio.

Household accounts data: GDP per capita, harmonised unemployment rate, consumer spending, credit, gross savings, disposable income, private consumption deflator. These data are from Eurostat and ONS.

Read the original analysis: French economy pocket atlas – March 2025

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BNP Paribas Team

BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas Economic Research Department is a worldwide function, part of Corporate and Investment Banking, at the service of both the Bank and its customers.

EUR/USD keeps the rangebound trade near 1.1850

EUR/USD is still under pressure, drifting back towards the 1.1850 area as Monday’s session draws to a close. The modest decline in spot comes as the US Dollar picks up a bit of support, while thin liquidity and muted volatility, thanks to the US market holiday, are exaggerating price swings and keeping trading conditions choppy.

GBP/USD flirts with daily lows near 1.3630

GBP/USD has quickly given back Friday’s solid gains, turning lower at the start of the week and drifting back towards the 1.3630 area. The focus now shifts squarely to Tuesday’s UK labour market report, which is likely to keep the quid firmly in the spotlight and could set the tone for Cable’s next move.

Gold battle around $5,000 continues

Gold is giving back part of Friday’s sharp rebound, deflating below the key $5,000 mark per troy ounce as the new week gets underway. Modest gains in the US Dollar are keeping the metal in check, while thin trading conditions, due to the Presidents Day holiday in the US, are adding to the choppy and hesitant tone across markets.

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The artificial intelligence (AI) cryptocurrency segment is witnessing heightened volatility, with top tokens such as Near Protocol (NEAR) struggling to gain traction amid the persistent decline in January and February.

The week ahead: Key inflation readings and why the AI trade could be overdone

It is likely to be a quiet start to the week, with US markets closed on Monday for Presidents Day. European markets are higher across the board and gold is clinging to the $5,000 level after the tamer than expected CPI report in the US reduced haven flows to precious metals.

XRP steadies in narrow range as fund inflows, futures interest rise

Ripple is trading in a narrow range between $1.45 (immediate support) and $1.50 (resistance) at the time of writing on Monday. The remittance token extended its recovery last week, peaking at $1.67 on Sunday from the weekly open at $1.43.