The difficult economic situation in France has not yet had a significant effect on unemployment figures. In the third quarter, the number of unemployed, as defined by the International Labor Office (ILO), a stricter definition than that of job seekers registered in Pôle emploi, certainly increased, but in a very measured way: 35,000 more people all over the world. the entire territory (including abroad, except Mayotte) compared to the previous quarter.
According to data published on Wednesday, November 13, by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee), the unemployment rate remains almost stable (+0.1%) and now stands at 7.4% of the population. active, that is, 2.3 million unemployed. Thus returning to the level of a year ago.
In detail, the situations differ depending on the age categories. Bad news affects young people. The unemployment rate among young people aged 15 to 24 increased 1.8 points compared to the second quarter, up to 19.7%. In one year, the increase is even clearer (+2.4 points), thus reaching its highest level since the beginning of 2021. For people between 25 and 49 years old, the unemployment rate is almost stable (–0. 1 points) during the quarter and a drop of 0.2 points in one year, to 6.6%. Finally, among people aged 50 or over, the unemployment rate fell 0.3 points in the quarter (0.5 points in one year), to 4.7%, its lowest level since the end of 2008.
Towards a change of course in 2025
As for older people, the employment rate of people between 50 and 64 years old increases significantly again: +0.7 points in the quarter, 2 points more in a year. It reached 68.8%, its highest level since INSEE measured it in 1975. In particular, the employment rate of people aged 55 to 64 increased 0.7 points in the quarter and 2.2 points in a year, up to 60.8%. Good news, as France is lagging behind its European neighbors on this point. To improve the situation, the social partners will have to conclude a negotiation on the employment of older people at the end of the week.
This stagnation in the third quarter is not really a surprise, since the positive effects of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on employment observed at the beginning of the year have diminished, while the difficulties encountered by companies at the end of the year have not. It has not yet had consequences on the labor market. If more than a million jobs have been created in four and a half years, now everyone is preparing for a change of course, especially in 2025.
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