France added more than 50,000 private sector jobs in the last quarter of 2017 as employment growth returned to levels not seen since before the global financial crisis, reports Reuters with data from statistical agency INSEE. Growth in the fourth quarter was boosted by low interest rates, a global economic rebound and high business confidence. Approximately 53,300 net new jobs were created in the fourth quarter, up 0.3% from the previous quarter. It also means that in 2017, a total 253,500 jobs were created last year, up 1.3% from the previous year and the strongest annual growth since 2011. Reuters added that businesses have responded to a more favourable business climate under President Emmanuel Macron by stepping up their hiring and investing.