Labour market at a glance in 2018 The employment rate for young and elderly people is rising

In 2018, in France, 71.9% of the persons aged 15 to 64 are part of the labour force according to International Labour Office (ILO) definition, whether they are employed or unemployed. The activity rate increased by 0.4 point in 2018, reaching its highest level since 1975. This increase is due to the rise in the employment rate (+0.7 point for 15-64 year-olds). The increase is more sharp for young people and seniors.

Among the 27.1 million employed people, nine out of ten are employees. Among employees, 84.7% have permanent jobs. This proportion is almost stable in 2018, after a decrease over the last decade. In 2018, 18.5% of employed people work part-time (–0.3 point).

2.7 million people are unemployed according to ILO definition and the unemployment rate averaged 9.1% in 2018. The decrease that began in 2016 continues, but in a more moderate way: –0.3 point in 2018, after –0.7 point in 2017. The unemployment rate sharply decreased among youth and less qualified people. Long-term unemployment accounts for 3.8% of the active population in 2018, down 0.4 point year-on-year. Unemployment is more frequent among young people, but with higher duration for seniors.

In 2018, 1.6 million inactive people are into the halo of unemployment. In total, 10.4% of people aged 15-64 are not employed and want to work, whether they are unemployed or part of the halo of unemployment. This proportion fell by 0.2 point in 2018.