Employment rate in France
France: Employment rate was 51.2% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
51.2%
Change on year
down 0.7%
World rank
134th
of 186 countries
All-time high
52.0%
in 2008
All-time low
48.1%
in 1997
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Employment rate in France, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
France recorded 51.2% for employment rate in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.7% on the previous year and up 2.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, employment rate in France peaked at 52.0% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 48.1%, in 1997.
France ranks 134th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Employment rate in France, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 50.0% | — |
| 1992 | 49.5% | -0.9% |
| 1993 | 48.9% | -1.2% |
| 1994 | 48.1% | -1.7% |
| 1995 | 48.5% | +0.8% |
| 1996 | 48.5% | -0.1% |
| 1997 | 48.1% | -0.9% |
| 1998 | 48.4% | +0.7% |
| 1999 | 48.7% | +0.7% |
| 2000 | 49.7% | +1.9% |
| 2001 | 50.4% | +1.5% |
| 2002 | 50.6% | +0.4% |
| 2003 | 51.3% | +1.5% |
| 2004 | 50.9% | -0.9% |
| 2005 | 51.0% | +0.3% |
| 2006 | 51.0% | -0.1% |
| 2007 | 51.6% | +1.2% |
| 2008 | 52.0% | +0.8% |
| 2009 | 51.2% | -1.6% |
| 2010 | 51.0% | -0.3% |
| 2011 | 50.9% | -0.3% |
| 2012 | 50.7% | -0.3% |
| 2013 | 50.7% | -0.0% |
| 2014 | 50.0% | -1.3% |
| 2015 | 49.9% | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 49.8% | -0.1% |
| 2017 | 50.1% | +0.5% |
| 2018 | 50.3% | +0.5% |
| 2019 | 50.3% | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 49.9% | -0.8% |
| 2021 | 51.2% | +2.5% |
| 2022 | 51.8% | +1.1% |
| 2023 | 51.8% | +0.1% |
| 2024 | 51.5% | -0.6% |
| 2025 | 51.2% | -0.7% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 51.2% is below the median for high income countries, which is 58.9%, 87% of the median. (62 countries reporting)
- France's 51.2% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 56.6%, 90% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 48.8% | 48.1% | 50.0% | 9 |
| 2000s | 51.0% | 49.7% | 52.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 50.4% | 49.8% | 51.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 51.2% | 49.9% | 51.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near France
More work & labour data for France
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.028 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.0507 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0063 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.62 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.3323 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 62,374 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 8,235 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 35,191 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 33,294 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 68,485 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is employment rate in France?
- Employment rate in France was 51.2% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest employment rate recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 52.0% in 2008.
- What is the lowest employment rate recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 48.1% in 1997.
- How does France rank for employment rate?
- France ranks 134th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is employment rate rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Employment rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and older) who are employed.