French jobless ticks up by more than expected to 7.7% in third quarter

France's unemployment rate increased by more than anticipated in the third quarter, data published by the National Institute of Statistics & Economic Studies showed on Thursday.

The country's unemployment rate ticked up to 7.7% in the third quarter from 7.6% in the second quarter. The second-quarter estimate was revised up from 7.5%, and the third-quarter reading was higher than the FXStreet-cited consensus of 7.6%.

Notably, the unemployment rate for women increased to 7.7% in the third quarter from 7.4% in the second quarter, while for men it remained unchanged at 7.7%.

Youth unemployment, those aged 15 to 24, came down to 18.8% in the third quarter from 19.0% in the second quarter. Female youth unemployment increased to 19.3% in the third quarter from 17.6% in the second quarter, while male youth unemployment reduced to 18.4% from 20.2%.