France's Employment Rates Under Scrutiny Amid François Bayrou's 2026 Budget Plans
François Bayrou's budget plan coincides with troubled employment rates in France.
Key Points
- • French employment rate among working-age individuals is low despite high work hours.
- • François Bayrou proposes €43.8 billion savings, including cutting two public holidays.
- • Critics like Senator Ouizille warn the budget could damage the economy.
- • The unemployment rate in France stands at 7.3%, substantially higher than Germany's 3.5%.
- • Upcoming parliamentary debates will address the proposed budget plan.
On July 19, 2025, the employment landscape in France faces growing scrutiny as Prime Minister François Bayrou unveils significant budget plans aimed at economic restructuring. According to recent OECD analysis, while French workers do not necessarily work less than their European counterparts, a notable trend has emerged: the employment rate among working-age individuals in France is troublingly low. The country's unemployment rate stands at 7.3%, affecting approximately 2.3 million people, a figure substantially higher than Germany's 3.5%.Furthermore, the activity rate for those aged 15 to 64 in France is at 69%, significantly trailing behind Germany's 78% and Switzerland's 80%. This disparity underlines the challenges faced by the French economy and fuels the urgency for Bayrou's budget strategies.
Bayrou aims to realize €43.8 billion in savings by 2026, which includes controversial proposals to eliminate two public holidays, enabling full-time workers to increase their annual hours by about 15. Despite the avowed intent to bolster employment, critics have expressed reservations. Alexandra Ouizille, a senator from the Socialist Party, argues that Bayrou's 2026 budget will "break the French economy." She indicated that such measures could have adverse effects on overall economic stability and productivity. In response, Bayrou has defended his budgetary intentions, stating, "We have two months ahead of us for this plan to find its completion," highlighting the forthcoming rigorous parliamentary debates on the matter.
According to data, while the average French worker logs 664 hours annually, those actively employed completed 1,494 hours in 2024—outperforming German workers, who registered only 1,340 hours. The discrepancy in these figures illustrates that while working hours per individual are high, the overall low employment rate amongst working-age citizens is concerning and indicative of the broader economic restructuring needs identified by Bayrou's government. As the debates unfold, the implications of these proposals on France’s employment and economic health remain to be seen.