MIDI-PYRÉNÉES - Economy
Tradition and modernity of the economy
A dynamic region, both traditional and modern, the Midi-Pyrénées needs to affirm its economic assets all the more due to its rather off centre geographical position, between the Atlantic arc and the Mediterranean, and against the mountains of the Massif Central. The region is trying to build up a new European axis going from Lisbon to Munich, and is constructing with Spain ambitious projects to improve its communication network.
In 2000 the Midi-Pyrénées accounted for 3.7% of France?s GDP. The contribution of the region to France?s gross value added of the agricultural sector was 5.4%. The region?s contribution to market services was 3.6%, 4.5% to construction, and 3.2% to industry.
Looking at per capita GDP, the Midi-Pyrénées ranked 12th among the French metropolitan regions in 2000. The GDP per inhabitant was 20 197 euro/inh, compared to the average of the provinces of 20 638 euro/inh.
A diversified agricultural sector
The economic structures in Midi-Pyrénées bear the stamp of a long-standing rural tradition. Agriculture is very important, with production equally divided between livestock and crops. Livestock is mainly in the foothills of the Massif Central and the Pyrenees, and crops in the plains. In particular, Midi-Pyrénées has the largest flock of sheep in France (a quarter of the country?s sheep). The hills of Lauragais and Gers are given over to cereals (soft wheat, maize). In 2000 Midi-Pyrénées accounted for 11.8% of the nation?s production of Maize. In the northwest, along the Garonne valley, most of the fruit production (plums, apples, peaches) is concentrated.
The very large number of holdings still in existence (60 244 in 2000) are engaged in widely differing types of farming in a very extensive agricultural area (56.7% of the land of the region in 2000). Certain high-quality products contribute to the renown of local agriculture: Roquefort cheese, Armagnac brandy, Madiron, Fronton, Gaillac and Cahors wines, and foie gras.
The contribution of the agricultural sector to the region?s value added is falling. In 1995 it accounted for 4.5% and in 2000 for 4.1%.
Market services account for half the region?s GDP
The services sector remains the dominant element in the region?s economy. In 2000 it accounted for 72% of the region's gross domestic product. The traditional bastions (wholesale and retail distribution, public and local administration) have been gradually supplanted by a new services sector, consisting of business services and services to individuals. In 1995 market services accounted for 47.7% of the regions value added, and in 2000 it accounted for 49.8%. This shift has been encouraged by the development around Toulouse of a European technology centre linked to the aeronautics and space industries. It affords the Toulouse conurbation a number of advantages on which to base its future development: a research potential (some 10 000 persons), training structures, firms directly locked in to Europe and to the most advanced technologies. This modernity is being grafted onto an industrial fabric geared more to traditional activities (textiles, leather, wood), and many industrial centres in these areas are experiencing difficulties.
In 1995 industry accounted for 18.6% of value added and in 2000 it accounted for 17.9%. Broken down by industry sector, the contribution of the production of capital goods to the region?s gross value added (27.7%) and the agri-food industry (15.1%) are the only two sectors that have more weight at regional level than at national level. The production of intermediary goods accounted for 32% of the region?s industrial value added, and consumer goods for 10.7%.
Midi-Pyrenees attracts its fair share of tourism. Hotel capacity in terms of bedrooms amounted to nearly 7% of total capacity of metropolitan France and 5.3% of nights in hotels in 2000. The region also accounted for a reasonable share of nights spent in camping sites: 4.6%. The region also has the second highest number of ?gites? (cottages) for rent: 4 131 in 2000.
In 2001 air traffic in the Midi-Pyrenees region ranked fourth on the national scale in terms of passengers and cargo handling. Air traffic amounted to nearly 5.7 million passengers departing and arriving, and freight to 49 900 tons.
In 2001 there were nearly 1.7 million vehicles registered in Midi-Pyrenees, of which 84% were private cars. The number of private cars in 2001 increased by 15.7% compared to 1990. In 2000 the road network of the region had 1 407 km of national roads, and 501 km of motorway.
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