France’s registered unemployment increased by 35,600 in March 2026, reaching 3.109 million, following a revised 8,500 decline in February. This rise marks the end of four consecutive months of falling unemployment, led by the 25-49 age group, where joblessness rose by 25,600 to 1.803 million. Unemployment among those aged 50 and over climbed by 7,000 to 805,000, while the under-25 category saw a 3,000 increase to 502,000. source: DARES, France

The number of unemployed persons in France increased to 3109.10 Thousand in March of 2026 from 3073.50 Thousand in February of 2026. Unemployed Persons in France averaged 2941.10 Thousand from 1996 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 4294.00 Thousand in April of 2020 and a record low of 1980.60 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 May of 2026.

The number of unemployed persons in France increased to 3109.10 Thousand in March of 2026 from 3073.50 Thousand in February of 2026. Unemployed Persons in France is expected to be 3120.00 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
2026-03-27 11:00 AM
Jobseekers Total
Feb 3108.2K 3090.5K 3105.5K
2026-04-28 10:00 AM
Jobseekers Total
Mar 3109.1K 3073.5K 3125.2K
2026-05-27 10:00 AM
Jobseekers Total
Apr 3109.1K 3132.1K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Unemployment Benefit Claims 35.60 -8.50 Thousand Mar 2026
Job Vacancies 295.20 240.40 Thousand Mar 2026
Jobseekers Total 3109.10 3073.50 Thousand Mar 2026
Wage Growth 1.60 1.60 percent Mar 2026


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
3109.10 3073.50 4294.00 1980.60 1996 - 2026 Thousand Monthly
Volume, SA

News Stream
French Unemployment Rises in March
France’s registered unemployment increased by 35,600 in March 2026, reaching 3.109 million, following a revised 8,500 decline in February. This rise marks the end of four consecutive months of falling unemployment, led by the 25-49 age group, where joblessness rose by 25,600 to 1.803 million. Unemployment among those aged 50 and over climbed by 7,000 to 805,000, while the under-25 category saw a 3,000 increase to 502,000.
2026-04-28
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