Unemployed population — Unemployment in France
France: Unemployed population — Unemployment was 2,433 Persons in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployed population — Unemployment in France, 1955–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.
Analysis
In 2025, unemployed population — unemployment in France stood at 2,433 Persons.
That represents a change of up 5.3% on the previous year and down 20.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployed population — unemployment in France peaked at 3,054 Persons in 2015 and was at its lowest, 157 Persons, in 1957.
That places France 6th out of 35 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployed population — Unemployment in France, year by year
| Year | Persons | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 300 Persons | — |
| 1956 | 215 Persons | -28.3% |
| 1957 | 157 Persons | -27.0% |
| 1958 | 184 Persons | +17.2% |
| 1959 | 263 Persons | +42.9% |
| 1960 | 243 Persons | -7.6% |
| 1961 | 213 Persons | -12.3% |
| 1962 | 243 Persons | +14.1% |
| 1963 | 273 Persons | +12.3% |
| 1964 | 222 Persons | -18.7% |
| 1965 | 278 Persons | +25.2% |
| 1966 | 287 Persons | +3.2% |
| 1967 | 384 Persons | +33.8% |
| 1968 | 493.18 Persons | +28.4% |
| 1969 | 418.44 Persons | -15.2% |
| 1970 | 478.62 Persons | +14.4% |
| 1971 | 518.97 Persons | +8.4% |
| 1972 | 538.15 Persons | +3.7% |
| 1973 | 521.84 Persons | -3.0% |
| 1974 | 572.32 Persons | +9.7% |
| 1975 | 830.48 Persons | +45.1% |
| 1976 | 905.88 Persons | +9.1% |
| 1977 | 1,050 Persons | +15.9% |
| 1978 | 1,094 Persons | +4.2% |
| 1979 | 1,238 Persons | +13.2% |
| 1980 | 1,333 Persons | +7.6% |
| 1981 | 1,584 Persons | +18.9% |
| 1982 | 1,713 Persons | +8.1% |
| 1983 | 1,802 Persons | +5.2% |
| 1984 | 2,110 Persons | +17.1% |
| 1985 | 2,182 Persons | +3.4% |
| 1986 | 2,226 Persons | +2.0% |
| 1987 | 2,261 Persons | +1.6% |
| 1988 | 2,163 Persons | -4.4% |
| 1989 | 2,043 Persons | -5.5% |
| 1990 | 1,937 Persons | -5.2% |
| 1991 | 2,063 Persons | +6.5% |
| 1992 | 2,266 Persons | +9.8% |
| 1993 | 2,564 Persons | +13.1% |
| 1994 | 2,689 Persons | +4.9% |
| 1995 | 2,550 Persons | -5.2% |
| 1996 | 2,711 Persons | +6.3% |
| 1997 | 2,746 Persons | +1.3% |
| 1998 | 2,652 Persons | -3.4% |
| 1999 | 2,594 Persons | -2.2% |
| 2000 | 2,239 Persons | -13.7% |
| 2001 | 2,046 Persons | -8.6% |
| 2002 | 2,107 Persons | +3.0% |
| 2003 | 2,177 Persons | +3.3% |
| 2004 | 2,295 Persons | +5.4% |
| 2005 | 2,319 Persons | +1.0% |
| 2006 | 2,321 Persons | +0.1% |
| 2007 | 2,122 Persons | -8.6% |
| 2008 | 1,970 Persons | -7.1% |
| 2009 | 2,458 Persons | +24.7% |
| 2010 | 2,505 Persons | +1.9% |
| 2011 | 2,489 Persons | -0.6% |
| 2012 | 2,677 Persons | +7.6% |
| 2013 | 2,840 Persons | +6.1% |
| 2014 | 3,026 Persons | +6.6% |
| 2015 | 3,054 Persons | +0.9% |
| 2016 | 2,970 Persons | -2.8% |
| 2017 | 2,784 Persons | -6.2% |
| 2018 | 2,678 Persons | -3.8% |
| 2019 | 2,493 Persons | -6.9% |
| 2020 | 2,350 Persons | -5.7% |
| 2021 | 2,365 Persons | +0.6% |
| 2022 | 2,234 Persons | -5.5% |
| 2023 | 2,263 Persons | +1.3% |
| 2024 | 2,310 Persons | +2.1% |
| 2025 | 2,433 Persons | +5.3% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 2,433 Persons is above the median for high income countries, which is 338.16 Persons, 7.2× the median. (30 countries reporting)
- France's 2,433 Persons is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 307.41 Persons, 7.9× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 223.8 Persons | 157 Persons | 300 Persons | 5 |
| 1960s | 305.46 Persons | 213 Persons | 493.18 Persons | 10 |
| 1970s | 774.82 Persons | 478.62 Persons | 1,238 Persons | 10 |
| 1980s | 1,942 Persons | 1,333 Persons | 2,261 Persons | 10 |
| 1990s | 2,477 Persons | 1,937 Persons | 2,746 Persons | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,205 Persons | 1,970 Persons | 2,458 Persons | 10 |
| 2010s | 2,752 Persons | 2,489 Persons | 3,054 Persons | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,326 Persons | 2,234 Persons | 2,433 Persons | 6 |
Countries ranked near France
- 3 United States 6,761 Persons compare
- 3 Croatia 86.8 Persons compare
- 4 Türkiye 2,970 Persons compare
- 4 Russia 3,626 Persons compare
- 5 Spain 2,608 Persons compare
- 5 Poland 557.9 Persons compare
- 6 Netherlands 396.12 Persons compare
- 7 Colombia 2,326 Persons compare
- 7 Lithuania 107.83 Persons compare
- 8 Japan 1,758 Persons compare
- 8 Latvia 65.8 Persons compare
- 9 United Kingdom 1,740 Persons compare
- 9 Estonia 56.17 Persons compare
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 unemployed population — unemployment in France?
- Unemployed population — unemployment in France was 2,433 Persons in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest unemployed population — unemployment recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 3,054 Persons in 2015.
- What is the lowest unemployed population — unemployment recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 157 Persons in 1957.
- How does France rank for unemployed population — unemployment?
- France ranks 6th out of 35 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployed population — unemployment rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is down 20.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Unemployed population — Unemployment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The infra-annual dataflow on the unemployed population is a subset of the infra-annual labour statistics database, which contains predominantly monthly and quarterly statistics on the unemployed population by age groups (15+, 15-24, 25-54, 55-64, 15-64 and 15-74 where available) and sex and associated statistical methodological information and associated statistical methodological information, for the OECD member countries and for selected other economies. Chile, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom publish Labour Force Survey (LFS) data using a rolling quarter methodology. The OECD treats the middle month of the rolling quarter as the reference month. As a result, the publication of monthly LFS data for these countries may be delayed by one month or more relative to the OECD reference month. The unemployed are persons in their working age who, in the reference period, do not have a job; are available for work; and, have taken specific steps to find a job. The infra-annual labour statistics compiled for all OECD member countries, are drawn from Labour Force Surveys based on definition provided by the 19th Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2013. The uniform application of these definitions across all OECD member countries results in estimates that are internationally comparable.