French unemployment rate rises to 8.1%

The unemployment rate in France rose to 8.1% in the first quarter of 2026, reaching its highest level since 2021. This was reported on May 13 by the Reuters news agency with reference to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Research of France (INSEE).

According to INSEE, the number of unemployed in France increased by 68 thousand people compared to the previous quarter and amounted to 2.6 million.

The head of the Bank of France, Francois Villeroy de Galo, admitted that the figures were "disappointing."

"About 8% is not exactly encouraging news," Villeroy de Galo said, adding that about 4 million jobs have been created in France since 2010.

Based on the analysis of data from the national statistical services on May 2, it became known that as of the end of the first quarter of 2026, the lowest unemployment rate among the G20 countries was recorded in Russia and Mexico. Japan is on the third line with an indicator of 2.7%, which increased by 0.1% compared to the previous quarter.