Discover Béarn Pyrenees

Béarn and its economy in key elements.
 

  • 2nd economic hub in Aquitaine and RD&I in the greater region:

- More than 16,000 businesses (data from Pau Béarn CCI).
- 5 sectors of excellence: Geoscience-Energy, Aeronautics, Chemicals-Materials, Gastronomy and Equine-Sports.
- A strong industrial sector built around major groups contributing to the national and international influence of the region. EURALIS, LINDT & SPRÜNGLI, LUNE DE MIEL, TERÉGA, TOTAL, SAFRAN GROUP,ARKEMA, MESSIER DOWTY, DASSAULT, EIFFAGE, TORAY CARBON FIBERS EUROPE, TOYAL EUROPE, EATON, VAREL EUROPE, HALLIBURTON, DRILLSTAR, BAYER, KNAUF INSULATION, CHIMEX...

  • A dynamic employment area

- An unemployment rate of 7.3% in the fourth quarter of 2017 in comparison to 8.6% nationally.
- A labour cost 30% lower than that of the Ile of France (Paris) area.
- A qualified workforce in Béarn, thanks to the wide selection of universities providing a top quality the recruitment pool.

  • Over 367,000 people live in Béarn in a number of urban communities:

Pau Béarn Pyrenees Urban Community: 162,000 people in 31 municipalities
Lacq-Orthez Urban Community: almost 55,000 people in 61 municipalities
Nord Est Béarn Local Authority: almost 35,000 people in 73 municipalities
Haut Béarn Local Authority: around 33,000 people in 49 municipalities
Pays de Nay Local Authority: more than 29,000 people in the part located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques (27 municipalities in Béarn out of a total of 29)
- Les Luys en Béarn Local Authority: more than 27,000 people in 66 municipalities
- Béarn des Gaves Local Authority: almost 20,000 people over 53 municipalities
- Vallée d'Ossau Local Authority: more than 10,000 people in 18 municipalities
- Adour Madiran Local Authority: 1,900 people in the part located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques

The economic assets of Béarn
 

  • Comprehensive education and vocational training centres

- Pau University has 13,000 students including 1,700 international students and has been awarded the “I-SITE” label for its E2S project on energy and environment solutions. Subject areas are varied and include science, humanities, languages, geography, sociology, economy and management.
- 5 Graduate Schools: ESC Pau, ENSGTI, IAE, CESI, EISTI.
- Vocational training centres: CNPC, EFF, IFP training, and ESC Pau formation continue...
- 1 international school: the International School of Béarn boasts an enriching teaching programme that follows the UK National Curriculum, from Early Years to High School, and welcomes over 40 different nationalities.