Share of employment outside the formal sector (current ILO definition) in France
France: Share of employment outside the formal sector (current ILO definition) was 3.81 in 2025. ▲ Rising
Share of employment outside the formal sector (current ILO definition) in France, 2014–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of employment outside the formal sector (current ilo definition) in France is 3.81, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 8.8% on the previous year and up 40.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of employment outside the formal sector (current ilo definition) in France peaked at 4.56 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 2.72, in 2015.
That places France 36th out of 46 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 12 years of available data.
Share of employment outside the formal sector (current ILO definition) in France, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3.48 | — |
| 2015 | 2.72 | -21.8% |
| 2016 | 3.31 | +21.5% |
| 2017 | 3.06 | -7.4% |
| 2018 | 2.78 | -9.2% |
| 2019 | 2.72 | -2.2% |
| 2020 | 4.07 | +49.3% |
| 2021 | 4.39 | +7.9% |
| 2022 | 4.56 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | 4.55 | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 4.18 | -8.1% |
| 2025 | 3.81 | -8.8% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 3.81 is below the median for high income countries, which is 4.95, 77% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
- France's 3.81 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 4.55, 84% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 3.01 | 2.72 | 3.48 | 6 |
| 2020s | 4.26 | 3.81 | 4.56 | 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 employment outside the formal sector (current ilo definition) in France?
- Share of employment outside the formal sector (current ilo definition) in France was 3.81 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest share of employment outside the formal sector (current ilo definition) recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 4.56 in 2022.
- What is the lowest share of employment outside the formal sector (current ilo definition) recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.72 in 2015.
- How does France rank for share of employment outside the formal sector (current ilo definition)?
- France ranks 36th out of 46 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of employment outside the formal sector (current ilo definition) rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is up 40.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Share of employment outside the formal sector (current ILO definition - ICLS19) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series includes only countries for which the 19th ICLS definitions are applied. This harmonized series for employment outside the formal sector is derived using the same set of criteria across countries to improve comparability. The criteria used are based on employment status, institutional sector, destination of production, bookkeeping, registration, social security contribution, places of work and size. For more information, refer to the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database description.