France: jobs and pay

What is youth unemployment in France?

The unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 in France was 21.6% in the second quarter of 2026, up 0.4 points on the previous quarter, according to INSEE's labour force survey results (7 August 2026). For people aged 25 to 49 the rate was 7.5%, its highest since early 2021, and for those aged 50 and over it was 5.5%. The overall rate was 8.3%.

The rate is measured on the ILO definition: the share of people in the labour force, working or looking for work, who are unemployed. Many young people are students and not in the labour force, so the rate is not the share of all young people who are unemployed.

Official sources: INSEE: unemployment in Q2 2026

What share of people in France are in work?

69.0% of people aged 15 to 64 in France were in employment in the second quarter of 2026, 0.3 points lower than in the previous quarter and 0.5 points lower than a year earlier, according to INSEE's labour force survey results. The employment rate was 33.8% for 15 to 24 year olds and 82.4% for 25 to 49 year olds.

The employment rate counts anyone who worked at least one hour in the reference week, including part-time and apprenticeship jobs. INSEE notes that since 2026 its figures include Mayotte, which lowers the employment rate by 0.17 points compared with the earlier coverage.

Official sources: INSEE: unemployment and employment in Q2 2026

How many people are long-term unemployed in France?

671,000 people in France had been without work and looking for a job for at least a year in the second quarter of 2026, 36,000 more than in the previous quarter and 116,000 more than a year earlier, according to INSEE's labour force survey results. The long-term unemployment rate rose 0.1 points to 2.1% of the labour force.

These are survey estimates on the ILO definition, averaged over the quarter. They differ from counts of jobseekers registered with France Travail, which include people doing some work and use administrative records. INSEE also publishes the 'halo' of people who want a job but do not meet all the ILO criteria.

Official sources: INSEE: unemployment in Q2 2026

What is the retirement age in France?

The minimum age to claim a retirement pension in France depends on year of birth, according to Service-Public.fr (checked 14 August 2026): 62 years and 9 months for people born between 1 January 1963 and 31 March 1965, 63 for those born between April and December 1965, rising by three months a year to 64 for people born from 1 January 1969.

This is the earliest age at which a full or reduced pension can be taken; the full rate also depends on the number of quarters of contributions. Early retirement remains possible for people who started work before 21, people with disabilities and some other groups. The schedule is set in law and has been changed several times.

Official sources: Service-Public.fr: retirement age for employees

What is the median salary in France?

Half of private-sector employees in France earned less than €2,190 net a month in full-time equivalent terms in 2024, according to INSEE's study of private-sector salaries in 2024 (Insee Première No. 2079). The median was 19.9% below the average net salary of €2,733. Women's median was €2,079 and men's €2,281.

Full-time equivalent means salaries are converted to what a person would earn working full time all year, so part-time pay is scaled up. The figures are net of social contributions but before income tax. The top 10% earned more than €4,334 a month.

Official sources: INSEE: private-sector salaries in 2024

How much is the minimum wage in France?

The ILO puts the statutory minimum wage in France at 1,867 EUR a month in 2026. No year since 2012 has been higher.

What is the average wage in France?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in France was $5,024 a month in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012. Europe & Central Asia median: $3,252 a month; France is 10th highest of 32. Worldwide: 11th of 57.

What is France's unemployment rate?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in France was 7.5% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 7.3% (2022) to 10.4% (2015). Europe & Central Asia median: 5.5%; France is 13th highest of 47. Worldwide: 50th of 174.

How many young people in France are unemployed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 18.9%. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 25.3%; its low point was 2023, at 17.4%. Europe & Central Asia median: 14.2%; France is 17th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 51st of 174.

What share of people in France are in the labour force?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 55.3%. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 56.3%; its low point was 2020, at 54.3%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 60.3%, and France placed 37th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 132nd highest.

How many women in France are working or looking for work?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate for women in France at 51.5% in 2025. The peak was 52.1% in 2023 and the low 50.0% in 2020. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 54.6%, and France placed 32nd highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 104th highest.

What is the employment rate in France?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in France was 51.2%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 52.0%; its low point was 2016, at 49.8%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 56.6%, and France placed 36th highest of 47. Worldwide: 130th of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in France?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in France was 8.5%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2024, at 8.6%; its low point was 2008, at 6.0%. Europe & Central Asia median: 11.0%; France is 33rd highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 149th of 174.

How many people in France are employees?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are paid employees in France was 86.7% in 2025. The peak was 89.4% in 2008 and the low 86.7% in 2024. It is 17th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 85.5%. World rank, highest first: 30th of 174.