The unemployment rate in France reached 8,3% in the second quarter, its highest level since 2020.

In the second quarter of 2026, the number of unemployed as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) increased by 62.000 compared to the previous three months, reaching 2,7 million people in France, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee).

The unemployment rate thus stands at 8,3% of the active population, up 0,2 percentage points over the quarter and 0,7 percentage points year-on-year. France has 261.000 more unemployed people compared to the second quarter of 2025.

To be considered unemployed according to the ILO definition, a person must be without work, available for work and have actively sought employment or have found a job starting soon.

"The unemployment rate is at its highest level since the third quarter of 2020, which was affected by the health crisis, and since the third quarter of 2019 before that. However, it remains significantly below its peak in mid-2015 (-2,2 points)." indicates INSEE.

Mayotte now integrated into national statistics

From this publication onward, the main economic indicators for the labor market cover all of France and now include Mayotte. Previous statistical series have been recalculated based on this new scope to allow for comparisons over time.

However, INSEE specifies that "the inclusion of Mayotte only marginally modifies the levels and trends of the main economic indicators of the labor market." For the second quarter of 2026, it raises the national unemployment rate by 0,06 percentage points compared to the previously used scope, which excluded Mayotte.

Unemployment is rising across all age groups

The increase affects all age groups. Among working-age adults aged 15 to 24, the unemployment rate rebounded by 0,4 points over the quarter to reach 21,6%.

The rate for 25-49 year olds increased by 0,2 points to 7,5%, its highest level since the first quarter of 2021. The rate for people aged 50 or over increased by 0,3 points to 5,5%, its highest level since the first quarter of 2022.

The changes differ according to gender. The unemployment rate for women increased by 0,4 points, to 8,2%, while that for men remained stable at 8,5%.

The full employment law explains part of the increase

The second quarter of 2026 corresponds to the sixth quarter of application of the law for full employment, which came into force in January 2025. During this period, beneficiaries of the active solidarity income (RSA) and young people aged 15 to 29 registered with France Travail contributed almost half of the cumulative increase in the unemployment rate, according to INSEE.

Administrative registration with France Travail is not, in itself, sufficient to be considered unemployed according to the ILO definition. The institute nevertheless measures the effects of the reform on the participation of these individuals in the labor market and on their job search efforts.

The rise in unemployment is therefore not solely attributable to this reform. Furthermore, the rate remains 3,3 percentage points higher than the 5% target set by Emmanuel Macron for the end of his second term in 2027.

The halo around unemployment remains stable

In addition to the 2,7 million unemployed according to the ILO definition, there are 1,9 million people who want to work but are not counted as unemployed because they are not actively seeking employment or are not immediately available. They constitute the "halo around unemployment".

This number is almost unchanged from the previous quarter, with 6.000 additional people. The halo represents 4,4% of the population aged 15 to 64.

The government is focusing on three priorities

"Despite a difficult economic climate, the French labor market is holding up. Our responsibility is to continue this momentum by addressing the three major employment challenges." commented Jean-Pierre Farandou, Minister of Labour and Solidarity.

The minister identifies as priorities the professional integration of young people, the retention in employment of experienced workers and the adaptation of skills to the needs of companies, particularly "in nuclear power, the ecological transition or the defense industry".