The level of economic development of neighboring countries in France. With which countries does France border?

Today we will talk about the level of economic development of the neighboring countries of France. This is the largest state in Europe after Russia and Ukraine. Today the country is on a wave of recovery. In it are developed industrial-agrarian sectors.

However, a significant influence in the European Union on each other has bordering states.

About what opportunities and problems there are among the neighbors of the French, we'll talk further.

French neighbors

Before considering the level of development of neighboring countries in France, it is worth talking about with whom, in fact, this state borders.

The actual neighbors in Europe are 8 countries - Monaco, Andorra, Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and Spain. But there are also three "overseas" neighbors.

These countries border on the possessions of France in Latin America. Mostly it's an island. Among them are worth mentioning Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion and Mayotte. There is also the mainland state of Guyana.

Belgium

The high level of economic development in Belgium began to develop and increase thanks to medieval industries. It is not for nothing that this country was called a "workshop state". The cities of Liege and Antwerp are famous for armourers and masters of the diamond business, Flanders is the center of the textile industry in Europe.

In principle, speaking about the Kingdom of Belgium, one can not fail to mention one feature. Until the end of World War II, there was a clear division of industry across the regions. Therefore, some were rich enough, the population of others had incomes more modest.

Since 1945, mainly thanks to the "Galopin doctrine", there is a sharp economic growth of the state. Practically everywhere there are factories of light industry, in Flanders the refining industry begins to develop, Antwerp becomes the third largest port in Europe. In addition, the headquarters of NATO and some other communities are being transferred to Brussels.

The country has experienced two recessions. In 1980-1982, when the budget deficit reached the level of 13% of GDP, the state's debt increased significantly, as did unemployment. The second recession occurred in 1992-1993. In the course of this crisis, the country's gross domestic product grew by almost two percent.

But since 1994, the level of economic development in Belgium has started to increase. Today, the kingdom is experiencing a white streak in this area. Despite the political crisis of 2007-2010, GDP is growing, and the budget deficit and unemployment are declining.

Today, per capita GDP fluctuates around 38-40 thousand dollars. According to the assessment of 2010, it was at the level of 38,700 dollars.

Spain

Today, the level of economic development in Spain is at a high level. According to statistics for 2012, the state ranks the fourteenth place in the world ranking of countries.

The main branch of the economy, traditionally inherent in the Kingdom of Spain since the Middle Ages, was agriculture. The bulk of dates, almonds, sugar cane and olives are still exported by this state. You will be surprised, but the yield of Spanish rice is the highest on the whole planet. In addition, the state provides high volumes of wheat, wine and citrus. At the same time, only about three percent of the able-bodied population is involved in the sphere of agriculture.

But the leading role of this branch of the economy at this stage is sharply reduced. Today, rapid growth occurs in the production of footwear, spare parts for cars, machine tools, audio and video equipment, chemicals.

If we talk about international statistics in the fourteen spheres of production, Spain is in the top five of each segment.

Surprisingly, the level of economic development in Spain is practically not affected by unemployment. The norm for the country is its rate of 8-10%. For many countries this would be a powerful blow. Spain is saved by a rather high degree of illegal jobs and a shadow economy.

Italy

The level of economic development in Italy is very different regionally. If the northern regions are more developed at the expense of industrial enterprises, then the southern regions lag far behind in this regard. In the less developed areas, the shadow economy is flourishing.

The main scourge of the Italian economy is illegal immigrants in particular, and all immigration in general. People come here from the "third world" countries in search of better living conditions. Southern regions are considered especially popular, as there you can quickly find a job in the field of agriculture. Employers are also satisfied with this situation. Illegals charge a small fee for their services in cash, so it is possible to conduct large amounts of finance without the knowledge of the tax authorities.

Today, the level of economic development of Italy ranks third in Europe. The main branches that keep the country afloat are the following: auto- and motor-vehicles, large household electrical appliances (refrigerators, etc.), shoes, clothes, pasta, olives, cheese, wine, canned fruit.

Today, GDP per capita (2013 data) is about $ 30,000. The official unemployment rate fluctuates around seven percent (2006), and inflation - 1.5% (2006).

It is thanks to the long history and unique experience of the enterprises of the north of Italy that the country can withstand a permanent crisis in the southern regions and a powerful stream of legal and illegal immigration.

Germany

The level of economic development of Germany is the highest in Europe and the fifth in the ranking of countries in the world. It loses only to such giants as the US, China, Japan and India.

As a developed post-industrial republic, Germany receives the bulk of the capital from the services sector. It is in this industry that there is a maximum of jobs. She also owns 78% of GDP (for 2011).

The peculiarity of the German economic situation is the long-term follow-up of the social and market model. This paradigm includes the close interaction of trade unions and workers, a high tax rate. The main feature of such a model is the business and state policy put at the corner of the corner, which ensures the development of the market and the most even distribution of wealth.

On the one hand, it produced tremendous results and contributed to the rapid rise of the country after two defeats in world wars. Today, the level of economic development in Germany is very high, but this phenomenon has a dark side.

A very high level of taxes generates a large number of dependents. For comparison, for example, in the mid-1990s, tax deductions in Germany reached 65%, and in the US - about 32%. According to statistics, $ 100 was deducted from $ 100 of net salary for deductions to social institutions.

Today, the tax on undistributed profits is 50%. GDP in 2013 is about 40 thousand dollars per capita, the unemployment rate is 5.5%, and inflation is 2.1%.

Switzerland

We continue to consider the level of economic development of neighboring countries in France. Briefly studied were the big neighbors, such as Italy, Spain, Germany. Now we will talk about small states. The first to be an overview of the Swiss Confederation.

Although this country is rich enough, it is directly dependent on foreign policy and international relations. The main area from which huge financial flows come is banking. To date, there are more than four hundred banks in Switzerland. Thanks to the country's neutrality and secrecy regarding client information, the inflow of money is growing every year.

In addition to this sphere, the level of economic development in Switzerland is influenced by the pharmaceutical, chemical, food industries, the production of watches, cheese and chocolate.

Strange as it may seem, agriculture is also important. It enjoys a special disposition from the government. It is the farmers who are engaged in the production of environmentally friendly products of plant and animal origin, are granted significant tax benefits.

Are also quite developed in Switzerland are the spheres of insurance and tourism. The latter, in particular, brings the state more than one and a half billion francs a year.

Luxembourg

In this article, we consider the level of economic development of neighboring countries in France. Now we are talking about a small state, which occupies one of the leading positions in terms of development and prosperity of the population.

The Duchy occupies an area of only two and a half thousand square kilometers. The population is about half a million people. But GDP per capita is about 129 thousand dollars.

The main industry, which affects the level of economic development in Luxembourg, is heavy industry. In particular, until 1997 the maximum turnover was made by metallurgy and steelmaking. Today, no blast furnace works, steel is recycled from scrap.

The basic incomes the population receives from sphere of service, tourism, banking and trade. More than half of the active population of the duchy is employed in these areas.

Tourism is dominated by two areas - resorts and hang gliding. In the sphere of finance, offshore is the most attractive. Therefore, in the duchy of Luxembourg there are more than two hundred international banks.

With such a high development, oddly enough, agriculture continues to exist. The most traditional are the following branches: livestock, grape and horticulture.

Monaco

If we try to figure out with which countries France borders on the usual political map of Europe, it is possible not to notice two states, which we will discuss below.

The first of these is the Principality of Monaco. It's a small country, one of the smallest in Europe. Its area is only two kilometers square, and the population is about 36 thousand people. GDP per capita is 170 thousand dollars.

Where does such a tiny state have big turnover of capital? Let's look at this in more detail.

As we said earlier, the level of economic development of the neighboring countries of France mainly depends on industry, agriculture, services and banks.

But in this small state there is so little space and a lot of inhabitants that neither industry nor any other production of goods would simply be able to provide the country financially.

In the Principality of Monaco, only the entertainment and tourism spheres of the economy are developed. Here are some of the richest casinos in the world (in the city of Monte Carlo), as well as the stage of racing "Formula 1".

In addition to these areas, the income also comes from coverage of the life of the princely family in the media, as well as elite tourism. Housing in Monaco is considered the most expensive in the world. For example, renting a one-bedroom apartment fluctuates around 4,000 euros a month, with an average wage of 3200-3500 euros. And the cost per square meter of real estate for sale starts from 20 000 euros.

Andorra

If you look at the political map, with which countries France borders, you may not notice this dwarf principality on the border with Spain. The territory of Andorra occupies only 468 kilometers square. The population is about 70 thousand people. GDP - an average of 35,000 per capita.

80 percent of the country's gross domestic product is provided by the tourism sector. Annually about nine million people come here, the main part being attracted by ski resorts.

Only about two percent of the territory is suitable for agriculture. Grow in Andorra potatoes, barley, tobacco and rye. No wonder the name of the country from the Basque language is translated as "wasteland".

The main problem of the Principality of Andorra is that the level of economic development of neighboring countries - France and Spain - directly affects its position. This situation is due to the fact that this dwarfish state imports food and raw materials.

Undoubted advantages are a soft tax policy, minimal intervention in the economy by the state. The latter, in particular, provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to act with almost no restrictions.

Also here is the zone of duty-free trade. Therefore, in the principality of Andorra, having arrived to a local ski resort, it is possible to purchase quality French and Spanish goods at a cost of 25-40% lower than their prices in neighboring states.

"Overseas" neighbors

In the end, we will mention the states bordering the overseas possessions of France. These include Brazil, Suriname and the Antilles.

Brazil is a recognized economic giant in Latin America. It occupies a leading position in Mercosur (the united market of South America). The main focus of industry are the southern regions. They produce aviation, automobiles, steel, coffee, sugar, shoes, cloth and other goods.

The population of the northeastern regions is much poorer. However, these cities are now beginning to attract large investments due to the improvement of economic policy in the country.

Unlike the previous giant, Suriname is the poorest country in Latin America. The economy of the state is built on industry and agriculture.
It produces oil from the seabed, bauxite, gold and aluminum. They cut down the forest.

Grow coconuts, rice, peanuts and bananas. There are farmers involved in breeding livestock and poultry.

In total, according to official sources, about a quarter of the country's able-bodied population is involved in these areas.

The Netherlands Antilles are considered the oldest offshore in the world. This state lives at the expense of services, processing and transportation of oil products, as well as repair of ships.

Thus, in this article we have analyzed the economic situation in which the neighboring countries of France are located.

Good luck to you, dear friends. Travel more often!