French unemployment climbs to four-year high, young workers hit hardest

France’s labour market confirmed indicators of pressure on the finish of 2025, with unemployment rising to its highest degree in additional than 4 years, official information from the French authorities revealed.

Within the fourth quarter, the unemployment price reached 7.9 per cent, up from 7.7% within the earlier quarter and 0.6 share factors greater than a 12 months in the past. This improve pushed the variety of jobless in metropolitan France to 2.5 million, representing an increase of 56,000 over three months. Regardless of this improve, the present price stays properly under the highs seen in mid-2015.

Younger folks really feel the affect most

The newest figures present youthful employees going through the brunt of job losses. Amongst these aged 15–24, unemployment surged 2.4 factors to 21.5 per cent, whereas the broader 15–29 age group noticed a smaller rise to 16 per cent. Staff within the prime age group (25–49) skilled a slight enchancment, with joblessness dipping to six.9 per cent, and the speed for these aged 50 and above remained secure at 5.1 per cent.

Gender traits additionally shifted modestly. Feminine unemployment fell to 7.6 per cent, narrowing the hole with male unemployment, which elevated to eight.1 per cent.

Strong employment and file participation

Regardless of rising unemployment, different indicators counsel that the labour market retains resilience. The general employment price for folks aged 15–64 remained close to historic highs at 69.4 per cent, with full-time employment regular at 57.5 per cent and part-time jobs rising to 11.8 per cent.

The exercise price, which counts each these employed and people actively looking for work, reached a file 75.4 per cent, highlighting unprecedented ranges of workforce engagement. Analysts say this means that whereas unemployment is rising, extra individuals are taking part within the labour market than ever earlier than.