What are Banque de France statistics used for?

Understand how the economy is financed

• measure banks’ financial resources and understand how they use them to finance a country’s economy; 
• monitor the cost of bank loans granted, for example, to households purchasing homes or businesses investing, as well as the interest rates paid on current and savings accounts; 
• track how ECB monetary policy decisions are transmitted to the real economy.

Monitor and understanding how France interacts with the rest of the world

• the balance of payments records all economic and financial transactions between an economy and the rest of the world during a given period, including trade, investment income, and foreign direct investment;
• the net international investment position (NIIP) measures the net assets or liabilities of French residents vis-à-vis the rest of the world.

Assess the financial health of companies

Banque de France business statistics make it possible to assess the financial health of French companies, monitor business failures and financing conditions, and support credit risk management. 

The statistics also help identify businesses experiencing difficulties and inform public decision-makers about changes in economic conditions.

Anticipate economic developments

Every month, Banque de France teams interview business leaders throughout mainland France in the manufacturing, market-services and construction sectors. 

This qualitative information is analysed by sector and region, enabling the Banque de France to rapidly detect changes in economic conditions and improve short-term growth forecasts. 

In addition to this Monthly Business Survey, the Banque de France compiles statistics on negotiated wages. These provide a quarterly snapshot of wage increases included in collective agreements signed at sectoral and company level. They also offer information on the underlying trend in actual wage growth, helping assess inflationary pressures.