Report
Patrick Artus

Why are French companies not substituting capital for labour?

Labour costs are high in France compared with other countries, and the cost of capital has been low in France for many years because of falling interest rates. So we should normally expect French companies to substitute capital for labour. However, it does not seem that they are doing so: Automation and investment in new technologies are lower in France than in other OECD countries, even though the total level of productive investments is quite high in France; Labour productivity is not increasing faster in France than in the rest of the OECD. French companies therefore seem to accept, without reacting, the loss of cost-competitiveness resulting from the high level of labour costs. This once again raises the question of both labour force skills and business leaders’ skills.
Provider
Natixis
Natixis

Based across the world’s leading financial centers, Natixis CIB Research offers an integrated view of the markets. The team provides support to inform Natixis clients’ investment and hedging decisions across all asset classes.

 

Analysts
Patrick Artus

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