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France Jobless Rate Climbs to Four-Year High
The unemployment rate in France rose to 7.9% in Q4 2025, above the expected 7.8% and up from 7.7% in the previous quarter. This marks its highest level since Q3 2021, as the number of unemployed increased by 56,000 to 2.5 million, 0.6 points higher than a year earlier but still 2.6 points below its 2015 peak. By age, unemployment among 15–24-year-olds surged 2.4 points to 21.5%, rose 0.5 points to 16.0% for those aged 15–29, fell 0.2 points to 6.9% for 25–49-year-olds, and remained stable at 5.1% for those aged 50 and over. Female unemployment declined 0.1 points to 7.6%, while male unemployment rose 0.4 points to 8.1%. The employment rate for people aged 15–64 held at 69.4%, near a record high. The full-time employment rate remained stable at 57.5%, while part-time employment rose slightly to 11.8%. The activity rate reached 75.4%, its highest since records began.
Published on 2026-02-10

France Jobless Rate Climbs to Four-Year High
The unemployment rate in France climbed to 7.9% in Q4 2025, above the expected 7.8% and up from 7.7% in the previous quarter. This marks its highest level since Q3 2021, as the number of unemployed increased by 56,000 to 2.5 million, 0.6 points higher than a year earlier but still 2.6 points below its 2015 peak. By age, unemployment among 15–24-year-olds surged 2.4 points to 21.5%, rose 0.5 points to 16.0% for those aged 15–29, fell 0.2 points to 6.9% for 25–49-year-olds, and remained stable at 5.1% for those aged 50 and over. Female unemployment declined 0.1 points to 7.6%, while male unemployment rose 0.4 points to 8.1%. The employment rate for people aged 15–64 held at 69.4%, near a record high. The full-time employment rate remained stable at 57.5%, while part-time employment rose slightly to 11.8%. The activity rate reached 75.4%, its highest since records began.
Published on 2026-02-10

France Jobless Rate Highest Since 2021
The unemployment rate in France rose slightly to 7.7% in Q3 2025, in line with market expectations and up from 7.6% in the previous quarter. This marks the highest level since Q3 2021, as the number of unemployed increased by 44 thousand to 2.4 million, bringing the rate 0.3 points higher than a year earlier but still 2.8 points below its 2015 peak. By age, unemployment among those aged 15–24 fell 0.2 points to 18.8%, while it rose 0.2 points to 7.1% for those aged 25–49 and 0.3 points to 5.1% for those aged 50 and over. By gender, female unemployment climbed 0.3 points to 7.7%, matching the male rate. The employment rate for people aged 15–64 slipped 0.1 points to 69.4%, near a record high. The full-time employment rate remained stable at 57.6%, while part-time employment held at 11.8%. The activity rate came at 75.2%, 2.4 points above its end-2019 level. Long-term unemployment and underemployment remained stable at 1.8% and 4.4%, respectively.
Published on 2025-11-13

France Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 7.5% in Q2
The unemployment rate in France was unchanged at 7.5% in Q2 2025, in line with market expectations. The number of unemployed rose by 29 thousand to 2.4 million. By age, the rate for those aged 15–24 fell 0.2 points to 19% but was 1.2 points higher than a year ago. Among those aged 25–49, it declined 0.2 points to 6.9%, though up 0.3 points year-on-year. For those aged 50 and over, the rate held steady at 4.7%, down 0.2 points from last year. By gender, female unemployment fell 0.1 points to 7.3%, while the male rate rose 0.2 points to 7.7%. Meanwhile, the employment rate for those aged 15–64 edged up 0.1 point to 69.6%, the highest since records began in 1975 and 0.5 points above last year. Full-time employment held at 57.8%, while part-time rose 0.2 points to 11.8%. Part-time’s share in total employment rose slightly to 17.7%, still 1.1 points below its end-2019 level. Labor force participation increased to 75.3%, up from 75.1% in Q1.
Published on 2025-08-08

France Jobless Rate Steady at 7.5% in Q2
The unemployment rate in France was unchanged at 7.5% in Q2 2025, in line with market expectations. The number of unemployed rose by 29 thousand to 2.4 million. By age, the rate for those aged 15–24 fell 0.2 points to 19% but was 1.2 points higher than a year ago. Among those aged 25–49, it declined 0.2 points to 6.9%, though up 0.3 points year-on-year. For those aged 50 and over, the rate held steady at 4.7%, down 0.2 points from last year. By gender, female unemployment fell 0.1 points to 7.3%, while the male rate rose 0.2 points to 7.7%. Meanwhile, the employment rate for those aged 15–64 edged up 0.1 point to 69.6%, the highest since records began in 1975 and 0.5 points above last year. Full-time employment held at 57.8%, while part-time rose 0.2 points to 11.8%. Part-time’s share in total employment rose slightly to 17.7%, still 1.1 points below its end-2019 level. Labor force participation increased to 75.3%, up from 75.1% in Q1.
Published on 2025-08-08

France Unemployment Edges Up as Anticipated
The unemployment rate in France edged up to 7.4% in the first quarter of 2025 from 7.3% in the previous period, in line with market expectations. The number of unemployed persons rose by 64 thousand from a month earlier to reach 2.4 million. By age group, the jobless rate for those aged 15 to 24 was virtually unchanged (+0.1 percentage point) at 19.2%, remaining 1.1 points higher than a year ago. For individuals aged 25 to 49, the rate was stable at 6.7%, up 0.1 point over the quarter and down 0.1 point year-on-year. Among those aged 50 and over, the unemployment rate held steady at 4.7%, which is 0.3 points lower than the same period last year. By gender, the jobless rate for women increased by 0.3 points to 7.4%, matching the male unemployment rate, which was nearly unchanged (-0.1 point). Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate rose to 75.1%, up from 74.6% in the previous quarter.
Published on 2025-05-16

France Jobless Rate Ticks Lower to 7.3%
The unemployment rate in France edged down to 7.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024, from 7.4% in the previous period, below market expectations of 7.5%. The number of unemployed persons decreased by 63 thousand over the prior period to reach 2.3 million. Among age groups, the unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 fell by 0.8 percentage points to 19% and it fell by 0.1 per centage points to 6.5% for those aged 25 to 49. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for those aged 50 and over increased by 0.1 percentage points to 4.8%. By gender, the jobless rate for women was almost stable at 7.1% while it fell by 0.2 percentage points to 7.5% for men. The activity rate reached 74.4%, 0.3 percentage points lower than in the previous quarter.
Published on 2025-02-11

France Jobless Rate Edges Higher to 7.4%
The unemployment rate in France rose to 7.4% in the third quarter of 2024, edging up from 7.3% in the previous period and aligning with market expectations. The number of unemployed persons increased by 35 thousand over the prior quarter to reach 2.3 million. Among age groups, the unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 rose by 1.8 percentage points to 19.7%, while it fell by 0.1 percentage points to 6.6% for those aged 25 to 49, and by 0.3 percentage points to 4.7% for those aged 50 and over. By gender, the jobless rate for men rose by 0.3 percentage points to 7.6%, while it fell by 0.2 percentage points to 7.2% for women. The activity rate reached 74.8%, 0.3 percentage points higher than in the previous quarter.
Published on 2024-11-13

France Jobless Rate Ticks Lower to 7.3% in Q2
The unemployment rate in France edged down to 7.3% in the second quarter of 2024, compared to the market forecasts and previous three-month period of 7.5%. The number of unemployed persons decreased by 40,000 to 2.3 million, with the unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 falling by 0.4 percentage points to 17.7%. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for people aged 25 to 49 remained nearly unchanged at 6.7%, as did the rate for those aged 50 and over at 5.1%. Among genders, the jobless rate for men dropped slightly by 0.3 percentage points to 7.3%, while it ticked up by 0.1 percentage points to 7.4% for women. The activity rate stood at 74.5% in the second quarter of 2024, unchanged from the previous three-month period.
Published on 2024-08-09

France Jobless Rate Unchanged at 7.5%
The unemployment rate in France stood at 7.5% in the first quarter of 2024, unchanged from the past two-quarter periods and compared to market consensus of 7.4%. The number of unemployed persons rose by 6 thousand from the prior quarter to 2.3 million, with the unemployment rate for people aged 25 to 49 falling 0.2 percentage points to 6.8%. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 increased by 0.6 percentage points to 18.1% and rose by 0.1 percentage points to 5.1% for those aged 50 and more. Among genders, the jobless rate for men edged up by 0.1 percentage points to 7.7, while it ticked lower by 0.1 percentage points to 7.3% for women. The activity rate rose to 74.5% during the quarter from 74.1% in the previous three-month period.
Published on 2024-05-17

France Jobless Rate Steady at 7.5%
The unemployment rate in France was steady at 7.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023, the same as an upwardly revised reading of 7.5% in the previous quarter and compared to market forecasts of 7.4%. The number of unemployed persons increased by 29 thousand to 2.3 million, with the unemployment rate for people aged 25 to 49 rising by 0.2 percentage points to 7%. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 decreased by 0.2 percentage points to 17.5% and declined by 0.1 percentage points to 5% for those aged 50 and more. Among genders, men's unemployment rate ticked up by 0.1 percentage points to 7.6%, while it ticked down by 0.1 percentage points to 7.4% for women. Meantime, the activity rate rose to 74.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023 from 73.8% in the previous three-month period.
Published on 2024-02-13

France Jobless Rate Ticks Up to 7.4% in Q3
The unemployment rate in France rose to 7.4% in the third quarter of 2023, up from 7.2% the previous quarter, slightly higher than market expectations of 7.3%. The unemployment rate reached its highest level since the second quarter of 2022, with the number of unemployed rising by 78 thousand to 2.3 million. The unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 rose by 0.7 percentage point to 17.6%, while it rose by 0.2 percentage point to 6.7% for those aged 25 to 49. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for people aged 50 and up remained unchanged at 5.1%. Among genders, men's unemployment rose by 0.1 point to 7.4%, while women's unemployment rose by 0.3 point to 7.4%. Meantime, the activity edged down to 73.8% from 73.9%.
Published on 2023-11-15

France Jobless Rate Edges Up to 7.2% in Q2
The unemployment rate in France inched up to 7.2% in the second quarter of 2023 from 7.1% in the previous quarter, and the highest since Q3 2022, as the number of unemployed people increased by 20 thousand to 2.2 million. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for people aged 15-24 rose by 0.1 points to 16.7%. On the other hand, the unemployment rate was up 0.1% for people aged 25-49 to 6.5%, while those for people aged 50 or more fell slightly to 5.1%. Among genders, the jobless rate for women increased by 0.3 points to 7.1%, while those for men decreased by 0.2 points to 7.2%. Meanwhile, the activity was stable at 73.9%.
Published on 2023-08-11

French Unemployment Rate Little Changed in Q1
The unemployment rate in France was steady at 7.1% in the first quarter of 2023, the same as a downwardly revised reading of 7.1% in Q4 2022, and the lowest since Q2 2020 during the first covid lockdown. The number of unemployed people declined by 7,000 to 2.2 million. At the same time, the unemployment rate for people aged 15-24 decreased by 0.2 points to 16.6%. On the other hand, the unemployment rate was stable for those aged 25-49 at 6.4%, while unemployment rate for aged 50 or more bounced back slightly at 5.2%. Among genders, the jobless rate was lower for women (6.8%) than for men (7.4%). Meanwhile, the activity rate edged up by 0.2 points to 73.9% from 73.7%.
Published on 2023-05-17

France Jobless Rate Edges Down to 7.2% in Q4
The unemployment rate in France slightly fell to 7.2% in the fourth quarter of 2022 from 7.3% in the previous quarter, and compared to market forecasts of 7.3%. This was the lowest level since Q1 2008, except for the sharp fall in Q2 2020 during the first lockdown. The number of unemployed people decreased by 45,000 to 2.2 million. At the same time, the unemployment rate for people aged 15-24 surged 0.1 points to 16.9%. However, the unemployment rate was stable for those aged 25 to 49 at 6.5% and decreased for those aged 50 or more to 5% (–0.1 points). Among genders, the jobless rate was slightly lower for women (at 7.1 percent) than for men (at 7.5 percent). The employment rate was unchanged at 68.3%, the highest level since INSEE measures it according to ILO’s definition. Meanwhile, the activity rate edged down by 0.1 points to 73.6% from 73.7%.
Published on 2023-02-14

France Q3 Jobless Rate Inches Lower to 7.3%
The unemployment rate in France ticked down to 7.3 percent in the third quarter of 2022 as widely expected, from 7.4 percent in the previous period, as the number of unemployed people dropped by 17,000 to 2.3 million. The jobless rate for people aged 15-24 rose 0.3 points to 18.3 percent, but remained 3.3 points below its pre-crisis level. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate was virtually stable for those aged 25 to 49 (-0.1 points) at 6.5%, and for those aged 50 or more, at 5.1percent. The employment rate went up 0.3 points to an all-time high of 68.3 percent, while the activity rate rose by 0.2 points to a record 73.7 percent.
Published on 2022-11-15

France Jobless Rate Inches up to 7.4% in Q2
The unemployment rate in France inched up to 7.4 percent in the second quarter of 2022 from 7.3% in the previous quarter, and above market forecasts of 7.3%. The number of unemployed people increased by 29,000 to 2.3 million. At the same time, the unemployment rate for people aged 15-24 climbed 1.3 points to 17.8 percent, but remained clearly below its pre-crisis level (by 3.7 points). However, the unemployment rate was virtually stable for those aged 25 to 49 (+0.1 points) at 6.7% and decreased for those aged 50 or more to 5.2% (–0.3 points). The employment rate was unchanged at 68.0 percent, the fresh peak since INSEE measures it according to ILO’s definition. Meanwhile, the activity rate rose by 0.1 points to 73.5 percent from 73.4 percent and was exceeded its highest-ever level of the previous quarter.
Published on 2022-08-12

France Q1 Jobless Rate Lowest in Near 2 Years
The unemployment rate in France was at 7.3 percent in the first quarter of 2022, compared with market forecasts and the previous figure of 7.4 percent. The latest reading was the lowest jobless rate since the second quarter 2020, as the number of unemployed people decreased by 18,000 to 2.2 million. At the same time, the unemployment rate for people aged 15-24 increased 0.3 points to 16.3 percent, after a sharp drop in the previous quarter, and those aged 25 to 49 decreased 0.2 percent to 6.6%, while was virtually stable for those aged 50 or more (at 5.6 percent). The employment rate increased by 0.2 points to 68.0 percent, the fresh peak since INSEE measures it according to ILO’s definition. Meanwhile, the activity rate rose by 0.2 points to 73.4 percent from 73.2 percent and was back to its peak level reached in Q3 2021.
Published on 2022-05-17

France Q4 Jobless Rate Lowest in 1-1/2 Years
The unemployment rate in France declined to 7.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021 from a downwardly revised 8.0 percent in the previous period and below market expectations of 7.8 percent. It was the lowest jobless rate since the second quarter 2020, as the number of unemployed people decreased by 189,000 to 2.2 million. At the same time, the unemployment rate for people aged 15-24 decreased 3.6 points to 15.9 percent, reaching the lows of late 1980s and 1990s, and those aged 25 to 49 declined 0.3 percent, while remaining constant for those aged 50 or more (at 5.8 percent). The employment rate increased by 0.2 points to 67.8 percent, the new highest level since INSEE measures it according to ILO’s definition. Meanwhile, the activity rate dropped by 0.2 points to 73.3 percent from 73.5 percent in Q3, which was the highest level since the statistics agency measures it according to ILO’s definition.
Published on 2022-02-18

France Q3 Jobless Rate Unexpectedly Ticks Higher
The unemployment rate in France unexpectedly edged up to 8.1 percent in the third quarter of 2021 from 8.0 percent in the previous period and above market expectations of 7.8 percent. The number of unemployed people rose by 52,000 to 2.4 million, almost similar to its end of 2019 level, before the health crisis. At the same time, the unemployment rate for people aged 15-24 increased 0.3 points to 20.0 percent while remaining constant for those aged 25 to 49 (at 7.1 percent) and those aged 50 or more (at 5.9 percent). The employment rate increased by 0.5 points to 67.5 percent, the highest level since INSEE measures it according to ILO’s definition and above its pre-crisis level by 0.7 points. The activity rate, meanwhile, went up by 0.6 points to 73.5 percent, also the highest level since the statistics agency measures it according to ILO’s definition and exceeded its pre-crisis level by 0.7 points.
Published on 2021-11-19