Thursday, October 16, 2014

French expatriates in the UK

The French government have recently published a long (600+ pages) report about the number of French people living abroad, each side of the political Spectrum attempting to blame the other for this flight of capital and brainpower.

To put the raw figures into perspective, the report estimates that 2.5% of French live abroad, of which 4.5% are in Germany and 6% (the highest number) are in the UK.

The overall percentage (2.5%) - or 1.6 million people - reflects a 35% increase in emigration in 10 years.

Right wing politicians have emphasised the increase in emigration by 20% in 2012 compared with 2011 and blame the socialist government of M Hollande.

Analysts argue that the majority of younger emigrants leave the country principally to find work or self-employment, while older, wealthier people are escaping high French taxes. Corporations which leave France do it largely because of high French social charges and corporation tax.

Principal source: LeFigaro online 16 October 2014