External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in France
France: External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP was -0.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
-0.4%
Change on year
down 23.7%
World rank
82nd
of 191 countries
All-time high
3.5%
in 1997
All-time low
-2.7%
in 2022
Years of data
66
1960–2025
External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in France, 1960–2025
Source: National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
France recorded -0.4% for external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in 2025.
That represents a change of down 23.7% on the previous year and down 245.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in France peaked at 3.5% in 1997 and was at its lowest, -2.7%, in 2022.
France ranks 82nd of 191 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in France, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2.8% | — |
| 1961 | 2.5% | -10.1% |
| 1962 | 1.5% | -38.1% |
| 1963 | 1.0% | -34.9% |
| 1964 | 0.5% | -52.6% |
| 1965 | 1.5% | +218.1% |
| 1966 | 0.9% | -38.6% |
| 1967 | 0.7% | -23.1% |
| 1968 | 0.5% | -33.1% |
| 1969 | -0.1% | -121.9% |
| 1970 | 0.9% | -945.3% |
| 1971 | 1.3% | +48.8% |
| 1972 | 1.1% | -15.1% |
| 1973 | 1.0% | -13.3% |
| 1974 | -0.8% | -181.2% |
| 1975 | 1.3% | -271.9% |
| 1976 | -0.6% | -143.3% |
| 1977 | 0.2% | -136.7% |
| 1978 | 1.4% | +575.5% |
| 1979 | 0.8% | -45.1% |
| 1980 | -1.2% | -257.2% |
| 1981 | -1.2% | -0.0% |
| 1982 | -2.4% | +90.8% |
| 1983 | -0.1% | -95.2% |
| 1984 | 0.4% | -460.1% |
| 1985 | -0.1% | -112.7% |
| 1986 | 0.3% | -603.8% |
| 1987 | -0.8% | -388.4% |
| 1988 | -0.4% | -50.0% |
| 1989 | -0.4% | +9.7% |
| 1990 | -0.6% | +46.1% |
| 1991 | -0.1% | -79.4% |
| 1992 | 0.9% | -841.0% |
| 1993 | 1.9% | +105.6% |
| 1994 | 1.7% | -8.2% |
| 1995 | 1.9% | +11.3% |
| 1996 | 2.1% | +9.5% |
| 1997 | 3.5% | +62.0% |
| 1998 | 3.1% | -10.8% |
| 1999 | 2.7% | -11.1% |
| 2000 | 1.7% | -36.9% |
| 2001 | 2.0% | +13.8% |
| 2002 | 2.3% | +18.3% |
| 2003 | 1.7% | -28.1% |
| 2004 | 1.3% | -20.8% |
| 2005 | 0.5% | -62.0% |
| 2006 | -0.0% | -102.7% |
| 2007 | -0.4% | +3106.7% |
| 2008 | -0.8% | +79.5% |
| 2009 | -0.4% | -44.1% |
| 2010 | -0.9% | +113.8% |
| 2011 | -1.5% | +63.5% |
| 2012 | -0.9% | -38.0% |
| 2013 | -0.6% | -32.8% |
| 2014 | -0.7% | +12.4% |
| 2015 | -0.1% | -83.6% |
| 2016 | -0.3% | +194.3% |
| 2017 | -0.8% | +123.0% |
| 2018 | -1.0% | +25.1% |
| 2019 | -0.6% | -32.7% |
| 2020 | -1.7% | +165.4% |
| 2021 | -1.2% | -29.7% |
| 2022 | -2.7% | +125.3% |
| 2023 | -1.7% | -37.3% |
| 2024 | -0.3% | -80.8% |
| 2025 | -0.4% | +23.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 1.2% | -0.1% | 2.8% | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.7% | -0.8% | 1.4% | 10 |
| 1980s | -0.6% | -2.4% | 0.4% | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.7% | -0.6% | 3.5% | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.8% | -0.8% | 2.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | -0.8% | -1.5% | -0.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | -1.4% | -2.7% | -0.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near France
More economy & growth data for France
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.18 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.34 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 80.27 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0238 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 1,168 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 73.03 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 40.29 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0217 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 1,063 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 51.39 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in France?
- External balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in France was -0.4% in 2025, according to National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 3.5% in 1997.
- What is the lowest external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.7% in 2022.
- How does France rank for external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp?
- France ranks 82nd out of 191 countries with data for 2025.
- Is external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is down 245.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Exports of goods and services minus imports of goods and services divided by gross domestic product, expressed as a percentage.