By Karim Messeghem and Frank Lasch
France’s entrepreneurial landscape is marked by both resilience and fresh challenges according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2024/2025 France National Report, produced by the Entrepreneurship Lab at the University of Montpellier and MBS School of Business, Montpellier.
Of note, there were 1,111,238 new businesses created in France in 2024 – a 5.7% increase over 2023. At the same time, there were over 66,000 business closures. Early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) in France dropped to 8.7% in 2024, below the G7 average of 14.5%.
The report is based on insights shared by over 5,700 people who took part in the Adult Population Survey (APS) and another 36 experts took part in the National Expert Survey (NES). Their perspectives provide a comprehensive picture of attitudes, intentions, and the realities of starting and running a business. Here are four key findings from the report.
#1 - Perceptions hold back potential entrepreneurs in France
Entrepreneurship is seen as a desirable career by 68.9% of French adults, yet only 58% believe it confers high social status, the lowest in its peer group of countries. The perceived ease of starting a business has also declined, with just 48.8% seeing it as accessible. Fear of failure remains a significant barrier, cited by 42.7% of those who see opportunities.
#2 - Necessity rises again
Economic necessity has overtaken wealth creation as the top motivation for starting a business in 2024 (53.4% vs. 43.4%). The desire to “make a difference” is growing but remains well below international averages.
#3 - Diversity and regional gaps
Intentions to start a business are highest among 18–24-year-olds (28.3%), but actual engagement lags. Gender gaps persist: 10% of men and 7.4% of women are early-stage entrepreneurs, both down from 2023. Regionally, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and Île-de-France are the most dynamic.
#4 - A mixed entrepreneurial ecosystem
France’s National Entrepreneurial Context Index (NECI) continued its downward trend, scoring 4.82/10 in 2024 (down from 5.06 in 2022). This places France 22nd among the world’s wealthiest economies, reflecting a slightly unfavourable environment. However, France still outperforms most G7 peers in government support and access to finance, ranking third behind Japan and the US.
Analysis
As France faces economic and political uncertainty, entrepreneurship is increasingly seen as a lever for resilience and renewal. Yet, the report warns that progress is uneven and that France risks falling behind more dynamic economies unless it strengthens entrepreneurial culture, improves market access, and invests in education at all levels.
All the above point to the need for continued efforts to foster a more supportive environment, close gender and regional gaps, and ensure that entrepreneurship remains a viable path for all.
“Our promise could not be fulfilled without supporting research on entrepreneurship. We are proud to back the GEM study and its national report, a formidable source of knowledge for entrepreneurs and decision-makers,” says Sylvie Bonello, General Delegate of the MMA Foundation of Entrepreneurs for the Future, the report’s main sponsor.
Karim Messeghem is a professor at the University of Montpellier and Frank Lasch is a professor at MBS School of Business, Montpellier.
The Adult Population Survey was led by Chaffik Bakkali, University of Montpellier, and Justine Valette, University of Montpellier.
The National Expert Survey was led by Sophie Casanova, University of Montpellier, Montpellier Management.
Report contributors are Jean-Marie Courrent, Universitey of Montpellier, Montpellier Management; Walid Nakara, Montpellier School of Business; Sylvie Sammut, University of Montpellier, Montpellier Management; Roy Thurik, Montpellier School of Business & Erasmus University Rotterdam; and Olivier Torrès, University of Montpellier, Montpellier Management.
The 2024/2025 report is supported by the MMA Foundation of Entrepreneurs for the Future, the Montpellier Metropolitan Area, the University of Montpellier, and MBS School of Business, Montpellier.