Unemployment Rate: France
France's unemployment rate is currently 7.5% as of 2026. # France Unemployment Rate France's unemployment rate stands at 7.
Current (2026)
7.5%
-1.3% y/y
Peak (1997)
10.9%
Low (1980)
6.3%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Unemployment Rate — France
1980 — 2026
Unemployment Rate — France
Analysis# France Unemployment Rate
France's unemployment rate stands at 7.5% in 2026, representing a significant recovery from its peak of 10.9% in 1997. Since 1980, when the rate hit its lowest point of 6.3%, France has experienced a net increase of 1.2 percentage points over the 46-year period. The current rate reflects a steady downward trajectory that accelerated after 2017, when unemployment was still at 9.4%.
The most dramatic improvement occurred between 2017 and 2022, during which the rate dropped from 9.4% to 7.3%—a 2.1-point decline in just five years. This period likely reflects post-crisis economic stabilization and labor market reforms. Recent data suggests stabilization rather than continued improvement, with rates hovering between 7.3% and 7.6% from 2022 through 2026, indicating France has reached a potential equilibrium point well below its historical peaks.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 7.0% | +0.00% |
| 2029 | 7.0% | -1.41% |
| 2028 | 7.1% | -2.74% |
| 2027 | 7.3% | -2.67% |
| 2026 | 7.5% | -1.32% |
| 2025 | 7.6% | +2.70% |
| 2024 | 7.4% | +1.37% |
| 2023 | 7.3% | +0.00% |
| 2022 | 7.3% | -7.59% |
| 2021 | 7.9% | -1.25% |
| 2020 | 8.0% | -4.76% |
| 2019 | 8.4% | -6.67% |
| 2018 | 9.0% | -4.26% |
| 2017 | 9.4% | -6.93% |
| 2016 | 10.1% | -1.94% |
| 2015 | 10.3% | +0.00% |
| 2014 | 10.3% | +0.00% |
| 2013 | 10.3% | +5.10% |
| 2012 | 9.8% | +6.52% |
| 2011 | 9.2% | -1.08% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 9.3% | +2.20% |
| 2009 | 9.1% | +22.97% |
| 2008 | 7.4% | -7.50% |
| 2007 | 8.0% | -9.09% |
| 2006 | 8.8% | -1.12% |
| 2005 | 8.9% | +0.00% |
| 2004 | 8.9% | +4.71% |
| 2003 | 8.5% | +2.41% |
| 2002 | 8.3% | -2.35% |
| 2001 | 8.5% | -7.61% |
| 2000 | 9.2% | -11.54% |
| 1999 | 10.4% | -2.80% |
| 1998 | 10.7% | -1.83% |
| 1997 | 10.9% | +0.93% |
| 1996 | 10.8% | +2.86% |
| 1995 | 10.5% | -1.87% |
| 1994 | 10.7% | +3.88% |
| 1993 | 10.3% | +9.57% |
| 1992 | 9.4% | +9.30% |
| 1991 | 8.6% | +2.38% |
| 1990 | 8.4% | -3.45% |
| 1989 | 8.7% | -1.14% |
| 1988 | 8.8% | -4.35% |
| 1987 | 9.2% | +3.37% |
| 1986 | 8.9% | +2.30% |
| 1985 | 8.7% | +2.35% |
| 1984 | 8.5% | +14.86% |
| 1983 | 7.4% | -8.64% |
| 1982 | 8.1% | +9.46% |
| 1981 | 7.4% | +17.46% |
| 1980 | 6.3% | — |
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