Key Figures of the Ile-de-France Region - 2005

The IAURIF, the CRCI Paris - Ile-de-France and the INSEE carried out the 2005 edition of the document which presents, with tables, maps and graphs, the main economic and social characteristics of the Ile-de-France region.

> The Ile-de-france Region

Located at the heart of a major European and world trading centre, the Ile-de-France region is ranked first in France in terms of economic activity and one of the first at European level. With its 8 different administrative departments and 1281 municipalities, the Ile-de-France region is home to 11 million people (about 19 % of France's total population). Constituted of a population younger than the national average, the Ile-de-France region is showing an
undeniable dynamism.

The Ile-de-France region assets are numerous :

- The Paris Ile-de-France capital region produced, in 2002, about 29 % of the national wealth and about 5 % of the European Union GDP, thanks in particular to the presence of many multinationals and a strong density of registered offices (in Paris and la Defense in particular). The Ile-de-France region is strongly attractive and is the second region in Europe regarding foreign direct investments.

- The Ile-de-France region has maintained a strong industrial tradition, which is characterized by a high concentration of small to medium sized companies and industries and a very wide range of activities. But considering employments, the services' activities represent today more than 80 % of the Ile-de-France region employees.

- First European employment pool, the region offers a highly qualified labour force with half of all French senior managers and near 35 % of the public research staff. Many higher educational establishments are situated in the Ile-de-France region, among which prestigious schools in the fields of data processing, mathematics, telecommunications, new energies, biotechnologies, management, international trade, ...

- To encourage and accompany its development, the region was equipped with leading infrastructures. Second airport hub in Europe, Ile-de-France also benefits from the interconnection with the TGV network which links together two main capitals of Western Europe (London, Brussels), and a great number of transport infrastructures (210 km of subway, 1 400 km of RER (Regional rail rapid transit) and railways, 3 000 km of bus lanes, 2 100 km of main roads and highways). With 70 ports, the region is also the second river hub in Europe.

- The development of the high flow communication networks speeded up these last years, allowing the Ile-de-France companies to benefit from technological conditions very favourable to their expansion.

- Finally, thanks to its history and cultural environment, the Ile-de-France region, and more particularly Paris, remain very attractive. The region has been the first tourist destination in the world for several years. The Ile-de-France region is also one of the world major centre for trade shows, professional conventions or other exhibitions : more than 2 000 events took place in 2003 in the ten main Ile-de-France exhibition centres.