SUMMARY
In 2025, France maintains its position as European leader in terms of attractiveness for foreign investment, despite an uncertain economic and geopolitical context. According to the EY Barometer, the country attracted 1,025 investment projects, ranking first for the sixth year running, ahead of the United Kingdom and Germany. 75% of new companies and jobs were created outside the Paris region.
However, this performance is offset by a significant drop in the number of jobs created by these projects. This trend reflects investors' growing caution in the face of set-up costs and timeframes, as well as economic and political uncertainties. France's strengths- market size, innovation, skills, infrastructure and quality of life - remain undeniable. Yet they clash with short-term imperatives, notably profitability, stability, energy and the means available for ecological transition. Geopolitical tensions are perceived as the main risk to European attractiveness, followed by the macroeconomic context and trade barriers. To maintain its attractiveness, France must continue to transform its model around five major levers: innovation, taxation, Made in France, skills and ecological transition.
Keywords: Attractiveness, barometer, key figures, economy, employment, qualitative survey, France, image, foreign direct investment, geopolitical tensions, ecological transition.
Illustration : EY
Baromètre 2025 key figures
