The World Economic League Table from think tank the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), predicts a period of stronger growth than we have seen for the past five years “driven by cheap energy and by technology”.

They also suggest that the effects of Britain leaving the EU are now “less than feared” than ever and the country’s economy will actually benefit from Brexit.

The findings will anger French president Emmanuel Macron, as he was previously France’s Minister of the economy and an investment banker.

A report spokesman said: “A year ago we feared that Brexit would have a significant transitional effect on the UK economy that would leave it behind the French economy for five years.

“It now looks as though our fears were exaggerated. The post-Brexit fall in sterling meant that the UK economy was smaller in dollar terms while growth was impeded.

“But sterling has since recovered and with a transitional deal with the EU now in place the country seems likely to overtake France again as soon as 2020, driven by the UK’s particular blend of the tech sector and the creative sector which Cebr has called The Flat White Economy and by the probability of a fairly soft Brexit.”

Oliver Kolodseike, senior economist and report co-author, said: “The interesting trend emerging is that by 2032 five of the ten largest economies will be in Asia while European economies are falling down the ranking and the USA loses its top spot.

“Technology and urbanisation will be important factors transforming the world economy over the next 15 years.”

But in a warning shot, it’s thought that India will leapfrog Britain and France to become the world’s fifth largest economy in dollar terms in 2018, the report said.

Other predictions include China overtaking the USA to become the world’s largest dollar economy in 2030, a year later than previously forecast as the impact of president Trump on trade has been less severe than expected, and Brazil will overtake France and the UK and become the sixth largest economy by 2028.

Britain secured the go-ahead from Brussels to start talks on its future relationship with the EU earlier this month, with London saying it aspires to a closer relationship as a former member than that of any other third country.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said talks on the transition will begin in earnest after a January 29 meeting at which the 27 remaining members are expected to approve negotiating guidelines agreed by the Commission in Brussels.

The guidelines make clear the Commission expects the UK to continue to observe EU rules and regulations during the transition while having no say over them.

Mr Barnier said arrangements could be made for the UK to be “consulted” on the allocation of annual fish quotas under the Common Fisheries Policy but Britain will not take part in the decision-making process.

But Theresa May has repeatedly insisted that the final Brexit deal must allow Britain to set its own rules and strike “ambitious” trade deals with countries around the world while having the “best possible” access to EU markets.

The Prime Minister insisted she was confident of achieving a result which will lead to a dynamic post-Brexit economy delivering growth, jobs and prosperity.