French GDP fell more than expected in fourth quarter

According to the report from the Insee, in Q4 2020, GDP measured in volume fell (–1.4%) after its rebound in Q3 (+18.5%). Economists had expected a 1.3% decrease. In Q4, during which the second national lockdown and curfews were enforced, GDP stood 4.9% below its level in Q4 2019 (year-on-year evolution). Its year-on-year decline was moderate when compared to the drop in Q2, when the first lockdown occurred (–18.6% year-on-year). On average in 2020, the economic activity unprecedentedly fell, by −8.2% after +1.5% in 2019. The annual estimation of the activity drop and other economic aggregate established by summing all 4 quarters will be consolidated at then end of May 2021, along with the publication of the provisory annual account of 2020.

The sanitary measures in Q4 were reflected in a sharp drop of households’ consumption expenditure (−5.4% in Q4, after +18.1% in Q3). In contrast, gross fixed capital product (GFCF) continued the recovery which had already begun last quarter (+1.1% in Q4 after +24.1% in Q3). Overall, total domestic demand (excluding changes in inventory) fell, contributing by –2.9 points to GDP growth this quarter, after +19.3 points in Q3.

Foreign trade also continued its rebound and exports increased more than imports (+5.8% after +22.1% for exports, and +1.8% after +16.4% for imports). Overall, foreign trade made a positive contribution to GDP growth in Q4: +1.0 point, after +0.8 points in Q3 2020. Finally, changes in inventories also made a positive contribution to GDP growth (+0.4 points after –1.7 points).