Employment levels in France have fluctuated significantly in 2024. In the first quarter, the private sector added 61,100 jobs, but in the second quarter, it lost 7,900 jobs. A likely contributing factor was a first-quarter surge in demand for workers during preparations for the Olympics. In another noteworthy development, the employment rate for those aged 50-64 – a group that faces heightened challenges in securing jobs – increased significantly.
The key question now is whether these employment gains will persist after the Olympics, capitalizing on seasonal trends, or if they were merely temporary. The job losses in the second quarter suggest the need for caution in assessing the long-term impact of these jobs. Still, 2024’s employment figures overall remain positive for France.
Special Collection – The Middle East