The release of data from France has revealed a dramatic drop in manufacturing, with activity falling over four months in January at rates similar to those at the height of the global financial crisis.

This has led to fears that future poor economic forecasts within the Eurozone could render France’s public finances unsustainable.

Economists have predicted that France’s economy will remain stagnant over the 2013.

Manufacturing accounts for 11 percent of France’s economy and has been vulnerable to the global recession, performing poorly in comparison to its German neighbour.