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Sheet 59 of 195 · EuropeFRA · 47.2°N 2.4°E

France

French Republic · République française

Capital
Paris
Population
68.7 million 2025
Area
551,695 km²
Neighbours
10
Locator map of FranceFRANCEParisSPAINGERMANYITALYSWITZERLANDBELGIUMANDORRAUNITEDKINGDOMAUSTRIAPORTUGALNorthAtlantic OceanBay of BiscayMediterraneanSea0250 km
France hatched, Paris marked with a triangle, land neighbours shaded. Orthographic projection centred on 46.2°N 2.4°E; the scale bar is true at the centre.

France is a country in Western Europe bordered by Andorra, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain, Suriname and Switzerland. Only two countries have more land neighbours. The borders with Brazil and Suriname lie away from its main landmass. Its area of 551,695 km² puts it 48th in the world and 3rd of 45 in Europe.

The World Bank counts 68.7 million people in 2025: 23rd of 194 worldwide and 4th of 44 in Europe. On average, 125 people live on each km². The urban share of the population was 78.8% in 2025.

In 2025, GDP per capita stood at US$48,986 in current US dollars: 26th of 191 worldwide, 18th of 44 in Europe. Newborns in 2024 had a life expectancy of 83.0 years.

Its main landmass has land on both sides of the prime meridian, in the Northern Hemisphere. Territory away from the main landmass also reaches the Southern Hemisphere. From 41.4°N to 51.1°N, it spans about 1,080 km north to south. The point on the opposite side of the Earth from Paris lies in the South Pacific Ocean, about 520 km from the nearest land, New Zealand.

How it compares Europe: 45 countries

MeasureFigureWorldEurope
Population68,720,3372025, World Bank23rd of 1944th of 44
Area551,695 km²world-countries48th of 1953rd of 45
GDPUS$3.37 trillion2025, World Bank, current US$7th of 1913rd of 44
GDP per capitaUS$48,9862025, World Bank, current US$26th of 19118th of 44
Population density125 per km²population 2025, World Bank; area, world-countries72nd of 19416th of 44
Life expectancy83.0 years2024, World Bank18th of 19411th of 44
Urban population78.8%2025, World Bank50th of 19418th of 44
Forest area32.9% of land2024, World Bank97th of 19426th of 44
Population growth+0.25% a year2025, World Bank149th of 19422nd of 44
Internet users88.7%2024, World Bank64th of 18833rd of 44
Fertility rate1.61 births per woman2024, World Bank126th of 1946th of 44
Land neighbours10world-countries; among the 1953rd of 1952nd of 45
 Ranks run from the largest value (1st) among the countries with data; equal values share a rank.

Closest in areaYemen, Kenya and Botswana

Closest in populationUnited Kingdom, Tanzania and Thailand

Neighbours 10 countries by land, nearest capital first

  • Belgium261 km
    Paris to Brussels, capital to capital
  • Luxembourg288 km
    Paris to Luxembourg, capital to capital
  • Switzerland440 km
    Paris to Bern, capital to capital
  • Monaco690 km
    Paris to Monaco, capital to capital
  • Andorra711 km
    Paris to Andorra la Vella, capital to capital
  • Germany878 km
    Paris to Berlin, capital to capital
  • Spain1,054 km
    Paris to Madrid, capital to capital
  • Italy1,107 km
    Paris to Rome, capital to capital
  • Suriname7,188 km
    Paris to Paramaribo, capital to capital; the border is away from France's main landmass
  • Brazil8,725 km
    Paris to Brasília, capital to capital; the border is away from France's main landmass

Where on Earth main landmass

Hemispheres
Northern, Eastern and Western
outlying territory also: Southern
Capital
Paris
48.87°N 2.33°E
Northernmost latitude
51.10°N
Southernmost latitude
41.39°N
Westernmost longitude
4.76°W
Easternmost longitude
9.56°E
North to south
about 1,080 km
Antipode of Paris
48.87°S 177.67°W
in the South Pacific Ocean, about 520 km from the nearest land (New Zealand)