Unemployment rate fell slightly in the first quarter of 2022. It stood at 7.3% of the active population in France (excluding Mayotte) compared to 7.4% in the last quarter of 2021, according to figures published by INSEE on Tuesday 17 May. In the first quarter, the number of unemployed as defined by the International Labor Office (ILO) reached 2.2 million people, or 18,000 less over the quarter. The unemployment rate is at its lowest level since early 2008.
Over the quarter, the youth unemployment rate rebounded slightly (+0.3 points to 16.3%) after falling sharply in the previous quarter (-3.5 points). It fell by 0.2 point for the 25-49 year olds to 6.6% and it was almost stable for the 50 year olds or over, at 5.6%.
The long-term unemployment rate is also stable at 2.2% of the active population. As for the employment rate of 15-64 year olds, it increased again by 0.2 points, to 68%. It thus exceeds its highest historical level since INSEE measured it (1975). It increased by 0.7 point for young people and reached 34.6%, its highest level since 1991. For 25-49 year olds, it increased by 0.2 point to 82.5%, its highest level since the beginning 2009. Finally, that of 50-64 year olds is stable at 65.5%, its highest level ever.
The share of underemployment (part-time people wishing to work more or on partial unemployment) fell by 0.3 points to 4.7%, its lowest level since 1992. Finally, the activity rate (people in or unemployed) of 15-64 year olds also increased by 0.2 points to 73.4% and returned to its highest historical level in the third quarter of 2021.