The year 1985 as seen through the national accounts - In 1985, the French economy was infavorably affected by the slowing of world-wide growth, while, on the other hand, it benefited from the drop in the rice of raw materials and in the exchange rate of the dollar. This international environment favored disinflation and generated gains in terms of trade, but it also penalized our exports. The austerity policy, put into effect in 1983, was maintained in 1985. It was moderated, however, by a reduction of taxes, which permitted a certain recovery in domestic demand. Growth remained weak (+ 1.1 %), lower than that of our parteners, and the total number of salaried workers continued to decline in the trade branches (— 0.4%). The decrease of the...