The number of people registered as out of work in mainland France declined sharply by 175.9 thousand to 3.013 million in April 2025, marking the most substantial monthly drop since June 2020.
French unemployment falls the most since 2020
This unexpected improvement in the labor market suggests a strong rebound in hiring activity, likely supported by a combination of easing economic uncertainty, seasonal employment upticks, and targeted government measures aimed at boosting job creation.
The decline in unemployment was particularly notable among the core working-age population (25–49 years old), which saw a reduction of 101.6 thousand, bringing the total in this group down to 1.735 million. Youth unemployment also posted a significant improvement, with the number of registered unemployed individuals under 25 years falling by 43.2 thousand to 476.3 thousand. Meanwhile, the number of unemployed persons aged over 50 dropped by 31.1 thousand to 801.6 thousand, indicating a broad-based recovery across age demographics.
Longer-term picture remains more nuanced
Despite the sharp monthly decline, the longer-term picture remains more nuanced. On a year-on-year basis, the number of registered unemployed individuals has increased by 229.4 thousand, pointing to lingering structural challenges in the labor market and the residual effects of economic shocks from earlier periods. Analysts caution that while April’s figures are encouraging, sustained progress will depend on continued economic resilience, labor market flexibility, and support for sectors still lagging in recovery.
The latest data may bolster the government’s confidence in its labor market reforms and economic recovery plans, though policymakers will be mindful of the uneven gains and the persistence of elevated unemployment among certain segments of the population.
