France is one of Europe’s oldest nation-states, with its earliest unification traced to the medieval monarchy of the Capetian dynasty (late 10th century).
Modern France emerged following the French Revolution (1789–1799), which abolished the monarchy and led to the establishment of the First Republic.
The current political system is the Fifth Republic, founded in 1958 with the adoption of a new constitution under Charles de Gaulle.
The President of France is the head of state, responsible for appointing the Prime Minister, presiding over the Council of Ministers, and representing France internationally.
He can dissolve the National Assembly and in times of crisis, exercise emergency powers.
Emmanuel Macron has been President since May 14, 2017, and was re-elected in 2022.
The Prime Minister is the head of government, responsible for the of cabinet, administering policies and ensuring the implementation of laws.
As of 9 September 2025, Sebastien Lecornu is Prime Minister, having replaced Gabriel Attal, who was the youngest person to hold the post in modern French history.
France is a founding member of the G20 and plays a crucial role as a global economic, political and cultural leader.
It was among the original countries to launch the G20 process in response to the financial crises of the late 1990s.
France hosted the 2011 G20 Summit in Cannes, emphasising financial regulation, tax cooperation, and global economic governance.
France actively promotes a multilateral agenda at the G20, supporting reforms of major institutions, climate action, sustainable development, and economic fairness.
Its G20 priorities included:
- Green transition and climate action
- Inclusive, sustainable growth
- Reform of global finance and multilateral governance
- Digital transformation
- Gender equality and social cohesion
The Economy:
2024 GDP: 3,2 trillion USD (World Bank, Trading Economics)
GDP Share of World Economy: 3.0%
2025 GDP Forecast: 3,3 trillion USD
GDP Growth Rate (YoY, June 2025): 1.3%
GDP Per Capita (2024): 48,370.00 USD
Who will attend:
President Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend the 2025 G20 Johannesburg Summit in South Africa (November 22–23, 2025), continuing France’s high-profile international participation.
The President is the key representative at the G20, leading high-level negotiations and public diplomacy, while the Prime Minister may support domestic policy implementation of summit outcomes.
Fun Facts About France:
- France is the World’s Top Tourist Destination: More than 90 million people visit annually.
- The French Language is spoken on every continent: French is an official language in 29 countries.
- The Louvre is the most visited museum on earth: The Paris museum receives over 9 million visitors per year.
- France invented the metric system: Adopted after the Revolution, the system began in France in the late 18th century.
- Longest train station name in France: Gare de Saint-Remy-en-Bouzemont-Saint-Genest-et Isson holds the record for the longest train station name.