Share of workers in vulnerable employment in France
France: Share of workers in vulnerable employment was 8.5% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Share of workers in vulnerable employment in France, 1991–2025
Source: International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
France recorded 8.5% for share of workers in vulnerable employment in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.9% on the previous year and up 16.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of workers in vulnerable employment in France peaked at 10.2% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 6.0%, in 2008.
France ranks 158th of 186 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Share of workers in vulnerable employment in France, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 10.2% | — |
| 1992 | 10.0% | -2.1% |
| 1993 | 9.4% | -6.4% |
| 1994 | 9.3% | -0.8% |
| 1995 | 8.9% | -4.4% |
| 1996 | 8.5% | -3.9% |
| 1997 | 8.3% | -2.8% |
| 1998 | 7.9% | -4.9% |
| 1999 | 7.6% | -3.1% |
| 2000 | 7.0% | -8.0% |
| 2001 | 6.6% | -6.0% |
| 2002 | 6.5% | -1.6% |
| 2003 | 6.8% | +4.7% |
| 2004 | 6.6% | -3.0% |
| 2005 | 6.5% | -1.2% |
| 2006 | 6.9% | +5.6% |
| 2007 | 6.6% | -4.7% |
| 2008 | 6.0% | -9.4% |
| 2009 | 6.5% | +8.8% |
| 2010 | 7.0% | +8.7% |
| 2011 | 7.2% | +2.1% |
| 2012 | 7.1% | -1.0% |
| 2013 | 7.0% | -2.0% |
| 2014 | 7.4% | +5.6% |
| 2015 | 7.3% | -0.7% |
| 2016 | 7.6% | +3.3% |
| 2017 | 7.4% | -2.0% |
| 2018 | 7.4% | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 7.9% | +5.8% |
| 2020 | 8.2% | +4.4% |
| 2021 | 7.7% | -6.4% |
| 2022 | 8.1% | +5.3% |
| 2023 | 8.1% | +0.1% |
| 2024 | 8.6% | +6.1% |
| 2025 | 8.5% | -0.9% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 8.5% is below the median for high income countries, which is 9.5%, 89% of the median. (62 countries reporting)
- France's 8.5% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 11.3%, 75% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 8.9% | 7.6% | 10.2% | 9 |
| 2000s | 6.6% | 6.0% | 7.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 7.3% | 7.0% | 7.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 8.2% | 7.7% | 8.6% | 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 share of workers in vulnerable employment in France?
- Share of workers in vulnerable employment in France was 8.5% in 2025, according to International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of workers in vulnerable employment recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 10.2% in 1991.
- What is the lowest share of workers in vulnerable employment recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.0% in 2008.
- How does France rank for share of workers in vulnerable employment?
- France ranks 158th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of workers in vulnerable employment rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of workers in vulnerable employment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Share of employed population who are working as independent own-account workers (self-employed without staff), or contributing family workers (self-employed in a household business or farm).