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Economy of France vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

France has a GDP of $3.16T compared to $219B for Qatar, ranking 7/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

France has $3.58T in government debt (113.1% of GDP), compared to $90.2B (41.2% of GDP) in Qatar.

France vs Qatar GDP by year

France
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
France Qatar
2024 $3,160,442,622,465 $219,162,637,363
2023 $3,056,250,648,138 $217,308,516,484
2022 $2,794,788,137,067 $235,709,340,659
2021 $2,966,433,692,008 $179,732,142,857
2020 $2,647,926,055,110 $144,411,538,462
2019 $2,722,793,515,172 $176,371,428,571
2018 $2,781,576,320,884 $183,335,164,835
2017 $2,588,868,323,335 $161,099,175,824
2016 $2,470,407,619,777 $151,732,142,857
2015 $2,442,483,452,643 $161,739,835,165
2014 $2,861,236,112,552 $206,224,725,275
2013 $2,816,077,607,875 $198,727,747,253
2012 $2,683,007,095,787 $186,833,516,484
2011 $2,870,408,553,990 $167,775,274,725
2010 $2,646,230,027,988 $123,627,197,802
2009 $2,700,075,882,519 $97,798,351,648
2008 $2,926,802,941,586 $115,270,054,945
2007 $2,655,816,911,867 $79,712,087,912
2006 $2,317,861,544,691 $60,882,142,857
2005 $2,192,146,403,028 $44,530,494,505
2004 $2,109,792,297,237 $31,734,065,934
2003 $1,835,095,983,049 $23,533,791,209
2002 $1,492,427,756,382 $19,363,736,264
2001 $1,370,376,677,299 $17,538,461,538
2000 $1,360,959,069,477 $17,759,890,110
1999 $1,486,915,879,702 $12,393,131,868
1998 $1,496,906,382,032 $10,255,495,027
1997 $1,449,392,222,971 $11,297,802,115
1996 $1,598,889,216,566 $9,059,340,385
1995 $1,595,219,345,512 $8,137,911,978
1994 $1,385,822,778,828 $7,374,450,769
1993 $1,314,383,368,080 $7,156,593,654
1992 $1,389,663,073,110 $7,646,153,984
1991 $1,258,961,748,634 $6,883,516,484
1990 $1,257,649,439,827 $7,360,439,423
1989 $1,016,742,237,302 $6,487,912,088
1988 $1,010,827,662,152 $6,038,187,033
1987 $926,320,855,615 $5,446,428,681
1986 $764,946,585,851 $5,053,021,951
1985 $547,220,981,165 $6,153,296,456
1984 $525,033,325,828 $6,704,395,824
1983 $553,356,312,936 $6,467,582,308
1982 $578,152,310,610 $7,596,703,214
1981 $609,184,791,792 $8,661,263,764
1980 $694,529,183,483 $7,829,165,262
1979 $608,218,624,730 $5,632,962,997
1978 $501,724,418,605 $4,052,000,413
1977 $406,401,711,688 $3,617,564,638
1976 $368,363,152,144 $3,284,273,987
1975 $357,324,307,786 $2,512,773,166
1974 $282,739,225,314 $2,401,403,227
1973 $261,970,536,240 $793,885,560
1972 $201,738,881,664 $510,262,500
1971 $164,694,210,962 $387,703,106
1970 $147,312,861,698 $301,791,302
1969 $140,660,914,841 -
1968 $128,710,572,572 -
1967 $118,088,635,381 -
1966 $109,306,730,313 -
1965 $100,927,668,584 -
1964 $93,424,179,943 -
1963 $84,227,606,650 -
1962 $75,196,980,365 -
1961 $67,158,050,215 -
1960 $61,959,085,885 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/france/qatar | CC BY

GDP per capita in France vs Qatar by year

France
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
France Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $46,103 $62,557 $76,689 $126,046
2023 $44,700 $60,839 $81,817 $129,368
2022 $40,989 $57,043 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $43,725 $52,517 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $39,170 $49,482 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $40,408 $51,130 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $41,418 $46,381 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $38,687 $44,469 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $37,024 $42,880 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $36,702 $40,905 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $43,148 $40,218 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $42,669 $39,583 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $40,864 $37,671 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $43,930 $37,510 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $40,695 $35,908 $76,463 $151,646
2009 $41,728 $34,685 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $45,465 $35,053 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $41,486 $34,066 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $36,432 $32,424 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $34,696 $30,431 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $33,645 $28,921 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $29,480 $28,024 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $24,145 $28,350 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $22,332 $27,347 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $22,341 $26,007 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $24,576 $24,204 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $24,869 $23,263 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $24,169 $22,190 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $26,758 $21,268 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $26,792 $20,701 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $23,360 $19,892 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $22,239 $19,094 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $23,615 $18,801 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $21,501 $18,198 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $21,586 $17,475 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $17,547 - $15,243 -
1988 $17,550 - $14,682 -
1987 $16,176 - $13,719 -
1986 $13,430 - $13,213 -
1985 $9,657 - $16,815 -
1984 $9,312 - $19,272 -
1983 $9,862 - $19,616 -
1982 $10,360 - $24,385 -
1981 $10,956 - $29,505 -
1980 $12,565 - $28,375 -
1979 $11,063 - $21,777 -
1978 $9,167 - $16,757 -
1977 $7,459 - $16,058 -
1976 $6,792 - $15,710 -
1975 $6,617 - $13,014 -
1974 $5,261 - $13,540 -
1973 $4,907 - $4,905 -
1972 $3,809 - $3,483 -
1971 $3,137 - $2,952 -
1970 $2,833 - $2,594 -
1969 $2,729 - - -
1968 $2,518 - - -
1967 $2,328 - - -
1966 $2,173 - - -
1965 $2,024 - - -
1964 $1,891 - - -
1963 $1,723 - - -
1962 $1,554 - - -
1961 $1,402 - - -
1960 $1,307 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/france/qatar | CC BY

France's GDP per capita is $46,103, ranking 27/197, compared to $76,689 in Qatar, ranking 11/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), France ranks 30th at $62,557, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

France Qatar
Gross domestic product
$3.16T
2024
$219B
2024
GDP rank
7/197
2024
56/197
2024
GDP growth
1.19%
2023-2024
2.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$46,103
2024
$76,689
2024
GDP per capita rank
27/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$62,557
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
30/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$3.58T
2024
$90.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
113.1%
2024
41.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$52,165
2024
$31,579
2024
Government debt per person rank
8/185
2024
23/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,669
2026
$35,660
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.37T
2018
$170M
2024
Number of millionaires
2,897,000
2025
26,163
2025
Number of billionaires
52
2025
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2023
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2023
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
57.2%
2024
26%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.44%
2024
0.13%
2022
Population
68788006
2999260

Spending and national debt comparison by year

France
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
France Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 57.2% 113.1% 26% 41.2%
2023 56.8% 109.6% 27.3% 43.7%
2022 58.4% 111.4% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 59.5% 112.8% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 61.7% 114.9% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 55.3% 98.1% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 56.4% 98.5% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 57.7% 98.7% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 57.4% 98.1% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 57.6% 96.9% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 58.4% 96.1% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 58.6% 94.5% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 57.9% 91.7% 31% 32.1%
2011 57% 88.7% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 57.7% 86.3% 32% 30.4%
2009 58% 84.1% 36.4% 36%
2008 54.3% 69.8% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 53.6% 65.5% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 53.7% 65.4% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 54.3% 68.2% 29% 19.1%
2004 54% 66.9% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 54.4% 65.4% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 53.9% 61.3% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 52.8% 59.3% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 52.6% 59.7% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 53.7% 61.4% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 54% 62.1% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 55.6% 62% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 56% 60.6% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 56% 57.8% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 55.9% 51.6% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 56.5% 48.2% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 54% 41.7% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 52.7% 37.8% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 51.6% 36.8% 50% 12.6%
1989 48.9% 34% - -
1988 50.1% 33.3% - -
1987 50.7% 33.4% - -
1986 51.3% 31.1% - -
1985 51.9% 30.6% - -
1984 51.2% 29% - -
1983 50.2% 26.6% - -
1982 49.9% 25.3% - -
1981 48.5% 22% - -
1980 46% 20.7% - -
1979 44.9% 21.1% - -
1978 44.7% 21.2% - -
1977 21.4% 15% - -
1976 21.7% 15.1% - -
1975 22% 16.1% - -
1974 19.9% 15.4% - -
1973 19.7% 15.8% - -
1972 19.8% 17.7% - -
1971 20% 20.1% - -
1970 20.5% 21% - -
1969 21.5% 14.4% - -
1968 22.7% 15.8% - -
1967 21.4% 16.1% - -
1966 21.4% 15.3% - -
1965 21.1% 17.6% - -
1964 21% 19.6% - -
1963 22.6% 22.2% - -
1962 21.7% 23.6% - -
1961 21.9% 26.3% - -
1960 22.2% 28.5% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/france/qatar | CC BY

In 2024, France's government spending was $1.81T, accounting for 57.2% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $56.9B, or 26% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 113.1% in France and 41.2% in Qatar, ranking 14/185 and 130/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
France

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
France Qatar
2024 -5.77% 0.69%
2023 -5.44% 5.56%
2022 -4.74% 10.4%
2021 -6.58% 0.24%
2020 -8.93% -2.13%
2019 -2.39% 1%
2018 -2.32% 2.26%
2017 -3.36% -6.82%
2016 -3.76% -9.2%
2015 -3.89% 18.4%
2014 -4.57% 13.4%
2013 -4.94% 19.3%
2012 -5.17% 8.55%
2011 -5.3% 5.24%
2010 -7.16% 4.6%
2009 -7.38% 14.1%
2008 -3.5% 9.49%
2007 -2.99% 10.3%
2006 -2.66% 8.39%
2005 -3.5% 9.8%
2004 -3.55% 17.7%
2003 -4.09% 6.71%
2002 -3.18% 7.89%
2001 -1.42% 4.48%
2000 -1.32% 4.62%
1999 -1.55% -4.35%
1998 -2.39% -7%
1997 -3.71% -9.4%
1996 -3.89% -8.73%
1995 -5.11% -5.78%
1994 -5.46% -11.8%
1993 -6.4% -9.53%
1992 -4.64% -2.74%
1991 -2.89% -2.57%
1990 -2.45% 3.23%
1989 -1.9% -
1988 -2.7% -
1987 -2.13% -
1986 -3.3% -
1985 -3.08% -
1984 -2.8% -
1983 -2.58% -
1982 -2.91% -
1981 -2.39% -
1980 -0.27% -
1979 -0.36% -
1978 -1.73% -
1977 0.9% -
1976 1.01% -
1975 -0.28% -
1974 3.05% -
1973 1.97% -
1972 1.94% -
1971 -0.13% -
1970 0.02% -
1969 -0.49% -
1968 -2.54% -
1967 -0.8% -
1966 -0.57% -
1965 -0.07% -
1964 -0.25% -
1963 -2.24% -
1962 -1.53% -
1961 -1.36% -
1960 -1.95% -
1959 0.56% -
1958 0.08% -
1957 -1.99% -
1956 -2.62% -
1955 -1.04% -
1954 -0.78% -
1953 -4.79% -
1952 -6.82% -
1951 -4.42% -
1950 -5.56% -
1949 -7.31% -
1948 -9.11% -
1947 -7.6% -
1946 -8.1% -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 -6.89% -
1936 -4.76% -
1935 -4.22% -
1934 -4.31% -
1933 -4.96% -
1932 -1.86% -
1931 -2.06% -
1930 -1.65% -
1929 1.48% -
1928 1.13% -
1927 -0.04% -
1926 -0.02% -
1925 -0.87% -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 0.05% -
1912 0.23% -
1911 0.31% -
1910 -0.12% -
1909 -0.11% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.23% -
1906 -0.04% -
1905 0.18% -
1904 0.3% -
1903 0.21% -
1902 -0.37% -
1901 -0.39% -
1900 0.21% -
1899 0.21% -
1898 0.29% -
1897 0.01% -
1896 -0.03% -
1895 -0.07% -
1894 -0.08% -
1893 -0.3% -
1892 -0.03% -
1891 0.36% -
1890 0.31% -
1889 0.09% -
1888 0.18% -
1887 -0.07% -
1886 -0.5% -
1885 -0.59% -
1884 -0.35% -
1883 -0.23% -
1882 -0.15% -
1881 0.64% -
1880 0.65% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/france/qatar | CC BY

In 2024, France's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $182B, equivalent to 5.77% of GDP. This compares to Qatar's surplus of $1.52B, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, France recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, France posted an annual deficit equal to 4.18% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.04% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
France

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
France Qatar
2024 2% 1.27%
2023 4.88% 3.03%
2022 5.22% 5%
2021 1.64% 2.3%
2020 0.48% -2.54%
2019 1.11% -0.67%
2018 1.85% 0.26%
2017 1.03% 0.39%
2016 0.18% 2.68%
2015 0.04% 1.81%
2014 0.51% 3.35%
2013 0.86% 3.22%
2012 1.95% 2.32%
2011 2.11% 1.14%
2010 1.53% -2.43%
2009 0.09% -4.86%
2008 2.81% 15.1%
2007 1.49% 13.8%
2006 1.68% 11.8%
2005 1.75% 8.81%
2004 2.14% 6.8%
2003 2.1% 2.26%
2002 1.92% 0.24%
2001 1.63% 1.47%
2000 1.68% 1.65%
1999 0.54% 2.18%
1998 0.65% 2.95%
1997 1.2% 4.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/france/qatar | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, France has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.61%, compared with 3.15% in Qatar. In 2024, inflation was 2% in France and 1.27% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

France
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $333M
Chemicals & pharma $140M
Textiles & consumer goods $114M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $68.3M
Precious metals & jewellery $61.1M
Animal & marine products $26.1M
Metals $17.4M
Raw agricultural goods $16.3M
Raw materials & minerals $7.48M
Wood & paper products $3.9M
Qatar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.31B
Machinery & equipment $109M
Chemicals & pharma $99.7M
Precious metals & jewellery $28.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $9.65M
Weapons & explosives $2.26M
Animal & marine products $1.43M
Metals $713K
Miscellaneous $395K
Wood & paper products $144K

Balance of trade

France Qatar
Current account balance
$2.69B
2024
$37.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
42/190
2024
16/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.09%
2024
+17.3%
2024
Goods imports
$733B
2024
$32.6B
2024
Goods exports
$668B
2024
$95B
2024
Service imports
$341B
2024
$37.1B
2024
Service exports
$403B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.2%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

France Qatar
Economic freedom 64.6 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 72/197 37/197
Property rights 91.2 66.2
Government integrity 73.4 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 84.7 41.5
Tax burden 54.6 99.9
Government spending 0.9 79.9
Fiscal health 34.8 96.6
Business freedom 78.4 68
Labor freedom 59.1 58.5
Monetary freedom 73.2 76
Trade freedom 79.4 81.8
Investment freedom 75 60
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

France
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
France Qatar
2026 64.6 70.2
2025 64.4 70.2
2024 62.5 68.8
2023 63.6 68.6
2022 65.9 67.7
2021 65.7 72
2020 66 72.3
2019 63.8 72.6
2018 63.9 72.6
2017 63.3 73.1
2016 62.3 70.7
2015 62.5 70.8
2014 63.5 71.2
2013 64.1 71.3
2012 63.2 71.3
2011 64.6 70.5
2010 64.2 69
2009 63.3 65.8
2008 64.7 62.2
2007 62.1 62.9
2006 61.1 62.4
2005 60.5 63.5
2004 60.9 66.5
2003 59.2 65.9
2002 58 61.9
2001 58 60
2000 57.4 62
1999 59.1 62
1998 58.9 -
1997 59.1 -
1996 63.7 -
1995 64.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/france/qatar | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for France is 64.6, ranking 72/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

France Qatar
Services, % of GDP
70.9%
2024
46.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
58.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.3%
2024
0.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.1T
2024
$221B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$63,880
2024
$121,900
2024
Total reserves including gold
$283B
2024
$54B
2024
Total reserves ranking
13/177
2024
40/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$10.3B
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$52.1B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$41.7B
2024
$1.56B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.6%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
2024
30.6%
2022

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/france/qatar | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
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The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.