France Unemployment Rate stands at 8.50% as of September 2026, up from 7.90% a year earlier. The reading sits in the 34th percentile of its history back to 1983.
| Latest (September 2026) | 8.50% |
| One year ago | 7.90% |
| 10-year range | 7.00% – 10.10% |
| All-time range | 6.70% (1983) – 11.00% (1997) |
| Standing | Highest since 2020 |
| Change over 12 months | +0.6 pts |
| Percentile vs. full history | 34th |
| History | 1983–2026 (525 observations) |
The share of France's labor force that is out of work and looking for a job. Unemployment is a lagging indicator on the way down but a powerful early signal on the way up: sustained increases from a cycle low have historically been among the most reliable markers of a downturn taking hold. Because labor data is published promptly and revised little, it anchors the growth pillar of most macro frameworks. Data: harmonized unemployment statistics via the OECD.
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<a href="https://www.tacticalassetallocation.com/charts/france-unemployment-rate/">France Unemployment Rate — Cambria Chart Lab</a>
Data: download CSV (source: OECD key economic indicators).