France's GDP Per Capita Remains Below EU Average for Fourth Year Amid Slower Growth

France's GDP per capita has been below the European Union average for the fourth consecutive year, with preliminary 2025 estimates placing it at €40,700 compared to the EU average of €41,600. Ranking 11th in the EU alongside Cyprus and just ahead of Italy (€39,900), France's economic performance reflects slower growth rather than absolute decline, according to economists.

While Luxembourg and Ireland top the ranking with GDP per capita figures near €99,000, the French Treasury Directorate's chief economist, Dorothée Rouzet, cautions against interpreting these figures as a sign of impoverishment. Rouzet highlights that GDP per capita does not necessarily mirror residents’ living standards or well-being, pointing out that Luxembourg’s high GDP is partly inflated by cross-border workers, skewing poverty statistics.

Italy’s GDP per capita improvement is linked to temporary factors like the Superbonus incentives for energy renovations, which bolstered GDP growth but may not guarantee long-term stability. Additionally, demographic factors, such as Italy’s declining population, have influenced its per capita figures, while France’s population trends differ.

Overall, experts emphasize that France's economy is growing more slowly than the EU average rather than declining and urge caution in interpreting GDP per capita as a sole economic indicator. These complex dynamics reflect nuanced economic realities beneath headline rankings.