NATO member France in focus

Lexicon entry:

Countries of the world

Category 1:

NATO member states

Here you will find detailed information on the NATO member states.

3. France

• Official name: French Republic

• Capital: Paris

• Form of government: Semi-presidential republic

• Form of government: Democracy with a strong president

• Head of state: President Emmanuel Macron (since May 14, 2017) (as of May 2025)

• Head of government: Prime Minister Gabriel Attal (since January 9, 2024) (as of May 2025)

• NATO accession: April 4, 1949 (founding member). France withdrew from NATO's integrated military structure in 1966, but remained a member. It returned fully to the military structure in 2009.

• Special features:

• Permanent member of the UN Security Council and nuclear power.

• Extensive overseas territories with varying degrees of autonomy.

• Strong cultural influence worldwide; the French language is an important international language.

• Laicism (strict separation of state and religion) is a central principle of the state.

• Population (metropolitan region and overseas territories):

• Number: approx. 68.4 million (estimate 2024)

• Composition: Predominantly of French descent, significant minorities from former colonies (especially North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa) and other European countries.

• Average age: approx. 42.5 years (estimate 2023)

• Population forecast 2100: Relatively stable with slight growth until the middle of the century, then possible stagnation or slight decline.

• Economy:

• GDP (nominal): approx. USD 3.1 trillion (2024 estimate) - one of the largest economies in the world.

• Main products/trade: aerospace technology (e.g. Airbus), luxury goods (fashion, cosmetics, perfume), automobiles, pharmaceutical products, agricultural products (wine, cheese, wheat), tourism.

• Human rights, freedom of the press, rule of law:

• Human rights: generally good, but repeated criticism of police violence, conditions in prisons and treatment of migrants and minorities (especially Roma and Muslims). Anti-terror legislation is viewed critically with regard to civil liberties.

• Press freedom: Good (ranked 21st out of 180 in the RSF Index 2024), but concentration of media power and occasional political influence are points of criticism.

• Rule of law: Established system with independent judiciary, but need for reform in the judicial system is discussed.

• Freedom: High level of personal and political freedoms, but tensions in the context of secularism and freedom of religious expression.

• Conflicts:

• Internal: Social tensions, especially in suburbs (banlieues), protests against social reforms (e.g. pension reform), debates about integration and identity. Threat of terrorism remains.

• External: Active military role in various regions (Sahel, Middle East). No direct border conflicts, but maritime territorial claims in overseas territories.

• Secessionist movements:

• Corsica: Historically strong nationalist and separatist movements demanding more autonomy or independence. There have been phases of armed conflict, currently more political aspirations.

• Overseas territories: In some overseas territories (e.g. New Caledonia, French Polynesia) there are independence movements of varying intensity. New Caledonia has held several referendums on independence.

• Biggest sights: Eiffel Tower (Paris), Louvre (Paris), Palace of Versailles, Mont Saint-Michel (Normandy), Côte d'Azur (Nice, Cannes, St. Tropez), French Alps (Mont Blanc), Loire castles, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral.

Frankreich