Insee Focus · October 2021 · n° 253

Private security moderately affected by the crisis, profit margins still low

In 2019, the private security sector generates a turnover of 7.0 billion euros, or 5.7% of the total turnover of all support activities excluding rental.

In 2020 and early 2021, due to the health crisis linked to Covid-19, the security sector's turnover falls, but less than that of all support activities (- 3.1% compared to - 11.9% in 2020). Before the crisis, activity was dynamic (+ 3.6% on average per year between 2010 and 2019).

The sector's profit margin remains low (6.9% in 2019 compared to 9.2% for all support activities), with almost no growth since 2010.

More than half of the turnover is generated by medium-sized and large companies. Companies in the sector are highly specialised. They carry out most of their activity in the sector (94% of their value added).

Of the 134,000 full-time equivalent employees in the sector, 5.0% are salaried business managers, executives or intermediate professions. The average gross hourly wage is lower than that of all support activities (13.6 euros against 15.0 euros).