France : 2009 Article IV Consultation: Staff Report; Public Information Notice on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for France

This 2009 Article IV Consultation highlights that the global financial crisis and the contraction of world trade have pulled the French economy into a severe recession and put its financial sector under strain. Structural features combined with early policy action have helped soften the downturn. Executive Directors have noted that the near-term economic outlook remains challenging, with GDP growth expected to decrease by 3 percent in 2009. Directors have also stressed that safeguarding medium-term fiscal sustainability and avoiding unsustainable debt dynamics is a key priority for the coming years.