French Guiana - Economy

Economy

Main article: Economy of French Guiana

As an integral part of France, French Guiana is part of the European Union and the Eurozone; its currency is the euro. .gf is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for French Guiana, but .fr is generally used instead.

In 2008, the GDP of French Guiana at market exchange rates was US$4.72 billion (€3.21 billion), ranking as the largest economy in the Guianas, and the 11th largest in South America.

French Guiana is heavily dependent on mainland France for subsidies, trade, and goods. The main industries are fishing (accounting for three-quarters of foreign exports), gold mining and timber. In addition, the Guiana Space Centre at Kourou accounts for 25% of the GDP and employs about 1,700 people.

There is very little manufacturing. Agriculture is largely undeveloped and is mainly confined to the area near the coast – sugar and bananas are two of the main cash crops grown. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is growing. Unemployment is a major problem, running at about 20% to 30%.

In 2008, the GDP per capita of French Guiana at market exchange rates, not at PPP, was US$20,904 (€14,204), the highest in South America, but only 47% of metropolitan France's average GDP per capita that year.

Regional GDP per capita, percentage of the EU27 average
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
French Guiana 64 53 60 60 56 52 53 50 49
France 115 115 116 116 112 110 111 109 108

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