In 2013, 88 companies controlled by the State employ more than 800,000 employees, either directly or indirectly

In 2013, the State directly controlled 88 French companies. Through these companies and their subsidiaries, it controlled 1,444 French companies in total, employing more than 800,000 people. Compared to 2012, the number of State-controlled companies rose by 40, and total employment grew slightly. The main sector was the tertiary sector. Over thirty years, following several waves of privatisations, the number of majority-State controlled companies decreased from 3,500 to 1,500, while the number of employees fell by two thirds, from 2,350,000 to 800,000.