France's economy grew by 1.4 percent in 2005 and by 0.2 percent in the fourth quarter from the third quarter, the French national statistics institute Insee said on Tuesday.

The growth in 2005 was down from the 2.1-percent growth in 2004 but up from 0.9 percent in 2003.

France's household consumption expenses in 2005 which contributed to 1.2 percent of the growth of gross domestic product (GDP), were decelerated to 2.1 percent from 2.3 percent in 2004.

Foreign trade accelerated in 2005 with 3.2-percent growth in exports and 6.6-percent growth in imports, compared to respective growths of 2.2 percent and 6.1 percent in 2004. The deficit in foreign trade led to a 1.0 percent loss in the growth of GDP.

The growth of exports had weakened sharply in the fourth quarter to 0.9 percent compared with 3.2 percent in the third quarter, while imports grew by 2.4 percent after 2.7 percent in the third quarter.

Source: Xinhua