The PACA region (Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur) ranks among the top 3 regions that best resisted the economic crisis of 2008.
Its GDP per capita increased three times faster than the French average between 2008 and 2013 (excluding Île-de-France). It reached 30,700 euros, compared to the average of 27,700 euros in France (excluding Île-de-France).
The GDP per job, which measures the apparent productivity of labor, also showed a significant increase (+1.4% per year between 2008 and 2013). The service activities and innovative industry are the two main drivers of the region’s growth.
Every year, new residents move to the coastal area. Since the 1960s, the population has increased by 73% in PACA, compared to 35% in France. PACA now has 5 million inhabitants, making it the third most populous region in France.
Retirees are particularly drawn to the region: one in four inhabitants of PACA is over 60 years old. Employment doesn’t always match this demographic growth. The unemployment rate was 11.4% in 2014 in PACA, compared to 9.8% in mainland France. Vaucluse, Bouches-du-Rhône, and Alpes de Haute-Provence are the most affected areas.
The PACA region has been facing another issue in recent years. Housing prices are very high, making it the second most expensive region in terms of real estate after Île-de-France. Many residents have to move away from major cities like Nice, Toulon, and Marseille.
This lifestyle presents two disadvantages for the region. The first concerns the reduction of agricultural land to make way for housing. The second is the increased commute time, which exacerbates the already prevalent pollution in the region.
