Industrial Renaissance Barometer: What Is the place of French industry in the global economy?

The barometer highlights a recovery in manufacturing activity: in 2025, production increased by 1.2% in volume, and added value returned to its 2019 level. However, it remains approximately 8% below the level it would have reached had the pre-crisis trajectory continued.

Data from Bpifrance also tracks changes in the industrial landscape. In 2025, 245 industrial sites opened in France, compared with 244 closures. By the end of September 2026, the net total improved, with 202 openings and 174 closures. Nevertheless, this progress must be interpreted in light of the size of the projects, the jobs involved, and the production capacity actually created.

France holds recognized leadership positions in several strategic sectors, including defense, healthcare, aerospace, energy, critical materials, and digital infrastructure. Its scientific ecosystem, infrastructure, and integration into the European market are also key factors attracting businesses to settle there.

The electrical system is one of France’s main comparative advantages. With 95.2% of its electricity production carbon-free by 2025, the country has a strong advantage in attracting industries that consume large amounts of electricity.

This advantage is also reflected in prices, with an average rate 16% lower than the European average. In particular, it enhances the region’s appeal for electricity-intensive activities, data centers, artificial intelligence, and industrial processes currently undergoing electrification.

ndustrial competitiveness depends in particular on labor costs, production taxes, the availability of skilled workers, and companies’ ability to modernize their production facilities.

The adoption of new technologies is another challenge. In 2025, 18% of French companies reported using at least one artificial intelligence technology, compared with 20% in the European Union. Yet robotization, automation, and the integration of digital technologies have become essential tools for productivity and industrial competitiveness.

Economic and regulatory predictability is also a key factor. Industrial projects require long-term investments and depend on a certain degree of predictability regarding the conditions under which companies will operate.

The fourth edition of the “Industry in Motion” Barometer highlights several levers for consolidating France’s industrial position: enhancing energy competitiveness, modernizing the production system, securing supplies, developing skills, and facilitating access to land.

The challenge is to transform France’s strengths into long-term production capacity. This requires promoting investments that strengthen supply chains, advance research and innovation, disseminate technologies, and create skilled jobs.

Industrial attractiveness is not measured solely by the number of projects attracted or the amounts announced. It is also measured by the ability to bring investments to fruition.