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FR: ILO Unemployment Rate
| Actual | Previous | |
| Rate | 7.9% | 7.7% |
Highlights
The unemployment rate for metropolitan France rose to a seasonally adjusted 7.9 in the first quarter from 7.7 percent during the last three months of last year.
For all of France, the unemployment rate rose to 8.1 percent in the first quarter from 7.9 percent while the employment rate rose to 69.5 percent from 69.4 percent the previous quarter. At the same time, the percentage of full-time jobs rose 0.1 percentage points to 57.7 percent with part-time holding steady at 11.8 percent.
The number of inactive people those who want a job without being considered unemployed fell by 62,000 during the quarter to 1.8 million. This so-called halo around unemployment decreased by 0.1 points to 4.3.
Long-term unemployment continues to remain a problem, rising by 36,000 during the first quarter which was an increase of 0.2 percentage points to 2.0 percent.
With inflation on the rise and unemployment edging up, that increases the misery index which is a combination of the two figures.
Definition
The unemployment rate measures the number of unemployed as a percentage of the labour force. It is based on the International Labour Organization (ILO) definition of unemployment, which excludes jobseekers that did any work during the month and covers those people who are looking for work and are available for work. The report contains data on both total joblessness and just mainland unemployment; the latter is regarded as the more significant.
Description
The data report the number of unemployed persons (quarterly average) for metropolitan France and for metropolitan France plus overseas departments. The metropolitan measure is regarded as the more useful guide.
The data provide a comprehensive report on how many people are looking for jobs and the unemployment rate. These numbers are the best way to gauge the current state as well as the future direction of the economy.
Despite the delay in publication of these data, investors can sense the degree of tightness in the jobs market. If labour markets are tight, investors will be alert to possible inflationary pressures that could exist. If wage inflation threatens, it is a reasonable bet that interest rates will rise and bond and stock prices will fall.