The French economic growth (2008) What’s the macro economic situation of France during second quarter of 2008 ?

During the second quarter of 2008, the French GDP decreased by 0.3% after having increased by 0.5% in the first quarter.

The responsibles for the economic growth of the GDP are consumption, investment and exports. The problem is that the French households consume less and less because of inflation of prices (they buy less cars, less new technologies). They also invest less in houses.

The french companies do not export enough because foreign firms are more competitive or less expensive. And also because of the high rate of the euro compared with the dollar. That explains why the French economy is facing a crisis and why the Paris Stock Exchange is falling.

From Marie Lecuyer.