Unemployment in France lowest in decade
Europe The long-term unemployed are still having difficulty finding work
Unemployment in France has fallen to its lowest level in a decade, with 2.4 million people out of work.
Figures published by the national statistics agency Insee on Wednesday, showed the second-quarter unemployment rate including overseas territories is 8.5% - its lowest level since 2009.
In metropolitan France, the rate fell 0.2% to 8.2% in the second quarter, continuing a downward trend since a peak in 2015. So far in 2019, unemployment has fallen 0.6%.
The long-term unemployed are still having difficulty finding work, however. Some 900,000 people or 3.2% of the work-age population - have been unemployed for more than a year, a fall of 0.1%. Among 15-24 year olds, the unemployment rate fell 0.6% to 18.6%.
Across eurozone countries, unemployment fell to an 11-year low of 7.5% in May. ■
In metropolitan France, the rate fell 0.2% to 8.2% in the second quarter, continuing a downward trend since a peak in 2015. So far in 2019, unemployment has fallen 0.6%.
The long-term unemployed are still having difficulty finding work, however. Some 900,000 people or 3.2% of the work-age population - have been unemployed for more than a year, a fall of 0.1%. Among 15-24 year olds, the unemployment rate fell 0.6% to 18.6%.
Across eurozone countries, unemployment fell to an 11-year low of 7.5% in May. ■
What to read next
