# French unemployment rate increase

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/french-unemployment-rate-increase
> Updated: 2026-10-28T11:21:00.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

The unemployment rate in France has reached its highest level since the 2020 health crisis, climbing to 8.3%. Data from Insee indicates that 2.7 million people are currently without work, with significant impacts noted among workers aged 25 to 49 and younger demographics.

Subsequent data from France Travail shows a continued rise in job seekers. The number of individuals in Category A, those with no professional activity, increased by 0.9% in the third quarter to reach 3.35 million. When including those with reduced activity, the total number of registered individuals seeking employment rose to 5.85 million, representing a 2.4% increase year-on-year.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-28: France unemployment rises to 3.35 million in Category A

France's Category A unemployed rose 2.1% annually to 3.35 million, while total job seekers reached 5.85 million.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/france-unemployment-rises-to-335-million-in-category-a

### 2026-10-19: France unemployment rate reaches highest level since 2020

France's unemployment rate has climbed to 8.3%, the highest since the 2020 pandemic, affecting 2.7 million people.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/france-unemployment-rate-reaches-highest-level-since-2020

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Cite as: French unemployment rate increase. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/french-unemployment-rate-increase