y by
means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income
disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and
welfare. The government in 2006 focused on introducing measures that
attempt to boost employment through increased labor market
flexibility; however, the population has remained opposed to labor
reforms, hampering the government's ability to revitalize the
economy. The tax burden remains one of the highest in Europe (nearly
50% of GDP in 2005). The lingering economic slowdown and inflexible
budget items probably pushed the budget deficit above the eurozone's
3%-of-GDP limit in 2006; unemployment hovers near 9%.

French Polynesia
Since 1962, when France stationed military
personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a
subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion
of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the
tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996,
the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism
accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard
currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and
deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector
primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits
substantially from development agreements with France aimed
principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social
services.

French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Economic activity is limited to
servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations and
French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles
Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion.

Gabon
Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most of
sub-Saharan African nations. This has supported a sharp decline in
extreme poverty; yet, because of high income inequality, a large
proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber
and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s.
The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face
fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports.
Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management
hobbles the economy. Devaluation of its currency by 50% in January
1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate dropped
to 6% in 1996. The I