IMF Staff Country Reports

France: Staff Report for the 2003 Article IV Consultation

Publication Date:

October 29, 2003

Electronic Access:

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Summary:

Over the past several years, implementation of IMF recommendations has been lacking not so much in intention as in pace and timing owing to political economy considerations and a strong social preference for publicly provided services. The discussions focused on how to foster a durable economic recovery while tackling long-standing threats to fiscal sustainability. The authorities were attentive to the possible adverse short-term effects of underlying fiscal adjustment on growth. The authorities acknowledged that containing health care spending growth would be a key challenge.

Series:

Country Report No. 2003/334

Subject:

Employment Expenditure Fiscal policy Fiscal sustainability Labor Pension reform Public debt Social security contributions