The number of people registered as unemployed in mainland France rose by 17.7 thousand from the previous month to 3.108 million in February 2026. This marked the first increase in jobseekers since October last year. Unemployment among those aged 25 to 49 climbed by 13.7 thousand to 1.801 million, while for individuals aged 50 and over it increased by 3.4 thousand to 804 thousand. Among those under 25, the unemployed population rose by only 0.6 thousand to 504 thousand. source: DARES, France

The number of unemployed persons in France increased to 3108.20 Thousand in February of 2026 from 3090.50 Thousand in January of 2026. Unemployed Persons in France averaged 2940.67 Thousand from 1996 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 4294.50 Thousand in April of 2020 and a record low of 1982.10 Thousand in February of 2008. This page provides the latest reported value for - Unemployed Persons - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. France Unemployed Persons - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

The number of unemployed persons in France increased to 3108.20 Thousand in February of 2026 from 3090.50 Thousand in January of 2026. Unemployed Persons in France is expected to be 3160.00 Thousand by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the France Unemployed Persons is projected to trend around 3080.00 Thousand in 2027 and 3050.00 Thousand in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-27 11:00 AM
Jobseekers Total
Jan 3090.5K 3117.4K 3124.9K
2026-03-27 11:00 AM
Jobseekers Total
Feb 3108.2K 3090.5K 3105.5K
2026-04-28 10:00 AM
Jobseekers Total
Mar 3108.2K 3160K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Unemployment Benefit Claims 17.70 -26.90 Thousand Feb 2026
Job Vacancies 240.40 253.20 Thousand Feb 2026
Jobseekers Total 3108.20 3090.50 Thousand Feb 2026
Wage Growth 1.60 2.00 percent Dec 2025


France Unemployed Persons
The jobseekers total in France refers to the registered number of unemployed at the end of the month at employment center which are obliged to actively seek a job.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3108.20 3090.50 4294.50 1982.10 1996 - 2026 Thousand Monthly
Volume, SA

News Stream
France Jobseekers Rise in February
The number of people registered as unemployed in mainland France rose by 17.7 thousand from the previous month to 3.108 million in February 2026. This marked the first increase in jobseekers since October last year. Unemployment among those aged 25 to 49 climbed by 13.7 thousand to 1.801 million, while for individuals aged 50 and over it increased by 3.4 thousand to 804 thousand. Among those under 25, the unemployed population rose by only 0.6 thousand to 504 thousand.
2026-03-27
France Unemployment Falls for Third Straight Month
The number of people registered as unemployed in France declined by 26.9 thousand in January 2026, reaching 3.091 million, marking the third consecutive monthly decrease. Unemployment among those aged 25 to 49 fell by 17.3 thousand to 1.787 million, while for individuals aged 50 and over it dropped by 7.7 thousand to 801 thousand. Among those under 25, the unemployed population fell by 1.9 thousand to 503 thousand.
2026-02-27
French Unemployment Falls for 2nd Month
The number of people registered as unemployed in France dropped by 11.9 thousand in December of 2025 to 3.117 million, the lowest in three months. Unemployment fell by 12.4 thousand from the previous month to 505 thousand for the population with less than 25 years of age, while it inched lower by 700 individuals to 808 thousand for the population above 50 years. In turn, unemployment grew by 1.2 thousand to 1.814 million for the core aged population.
2026-01-29