The number of foreign investment projects in France reached a new record in 2022, with 1,725 decisions to invest, or 7% more compared to 2021, which was already a historic high, according to figures published Monday by Business. France.
The government agency responsible for promoting the France site abroad adds that these projects have enabled the creation or maintenance of 58,810 jobs, a figure up 31% over one year if we take into account temporary permanent contracts, mainly created by the companies Manpower and Randstad.
Excluding temporary permanent contracts, induced jobs increased by 7% in 2022, specifies Business France in its press release.
The United States regained the lead in the rankings ahead of Germany last year, with 280 projects against 256 from across the Rhine. And American investors are by far in the lead in terms of the number of jobs maintained or created, with 29% of the total against only 12% for German projects.
In a tweet, the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron hailed this record year, congratulating himself that France is attracting more people than ever and creating jobs. The policy conducted for 6 years is bearing fruit!, he believes.
In detail, the creation of establishments account for half of the investment projects but only for 29% of the jobs created, while the extensions of existing sites represent 46% of the projects but two thirds of the jobs, the rest being by takeovers of companies by foreign investors.
A large quarter (26%) of investments are made in production activities, which also account for 30% of jobs, while French or European head offices account for 23% of projects but only 11% of jobs, further details Business France.
More than four out of five industrial projects (81%) are extensions of existing sites. The agency sees this as proof of confidence in our economy and the efficiency of French industrial facilities, as well as satisfaction with the French workforce on the part of foreign investors.
While Business France emphasizes industry, the service sector alone remains the source of nearly half (49%) of projects and 56% of jobs.
Finally, the number of research and development (R&D) projects is up by 23% and the number of jobs created in this sector is skyrocketing, by 53% compared to 2021.
Business France recalls in this regard that France is the leading OECD country in terms of public funding and tax incentives for business R&D.