France Jobseekers Total

Latest figures

The latest release for SEP, published on 28 October 2026, came in at 3192.5K, up from 3,081.7K the time before.

Over the last 12 releases it ranged from 3,081.7K to 3,192.5K, averaging 3,118.3K.

See it in the economic calendar →

Why it matters

Full employment is part of most central banks' mandate. A falling unemployment rate means a tighter labour market, faster wage growth and more inflation pressure, which can keep the European Central Bank (with the Banque de France) hawkish; a rising rate is one of the clearest recession signals (the US "Sahm rule" flags a 0.5-point rise in the three-month average).

How it is calculated

INSEE usually runs a household survey: people are counted as unemployed if they had no work, were available and looked for a job recently. The rate is unemployed ÷ (employed + unemployed). Registered jobless and claimant counts instead count people signed on for benefits. Participation is the labour force ÷ working-age population.

Unemployment rate = unemployed ÷ labour force × 100
Labour force = employed + unemployed

What changes mean

• A lower rate than expected usually supports the euro.
• Check participation: unemployment can fall because people stop looking, which is not good news.
• Broader measures (US U-6) include part-timers who want more hours.

A short history

Systematic unemployment statistics began in the 1930s Depression; the International Labour Organization's definition, adopted in 1982, is used by most countries today.

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