France: upswing in election year 2002

In France, economic growth accelerated in 2000. Real GDP increased by 3.2%. In the labour market, the situation also improved, with the unemployment rate declining to an average of 9.2% for the year. Consumer prices in 2000 were 1.8% higher than in 1999. In 2001, real GDP is expected to grow by nearly 2½%. Inflation will be moderate at 1¾%. On the labour market the situation will continue to improve, the unemployment rate falling to ca. 8½%. In 2002 aggregate output will be dynamic, GDP will expand by 2½%, and the unemployment rate will fall to about 8¼%.