The French economy grew between January and March, despite stagnant domestic consumption and a slight decline in investment, announced the INSEE in a statement.
The GDP contraction in the last three months of 2024 was attributed by the statistics agency to the aftermath of the Paris Games.
In an interview with Sud Radio, Economy Minister Éric Lombard noted that the 0.1% growth in the first quarter “aligns with the Government’s forecasts,” assessing it within a challenging internal context, given that France only approved the 2025 budget in mid-February.
Lombard emphasized that the government maintains its forecast for the French economy to grow by 0.7% over the course of the year, admitting it will be “a struggle” amid “world difficulties” and assured that they must “encourage corporate investment to continue progressing in the right direction.”
“When we reach an agreement with the US and establish an adequate working method with the Chinese, we will have a growth path that will translate into job creation,” he added.
