Temporary employment in France fell by 1.5%, or 6,900 jobs, in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter; the decrease follows the third quarter’s decline of 0.9%, according to INSEE, France’s national institute of statistics and economic studies. The year-over-year decrease in temporary jobs was 3.3%, or 27,100 jobs.

Total number of temporary jobs in France was 787,800 in the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter’s decline in temporary jobs came even as total payroll employment in France rose 0.2% in the fourth quarter, an increase of 53,600 jobs.

INSEE noted the private sector added 50,700 jobs in the fourth quarter, up 0.3% from the third quarter and an increase of 0.8% year over year.

However, public-sector employment was flat in the fourth quarter and fell 0.2% year over year.

Construction posted the fastest growth among industries tracked by INSEE, with the number of construction jobs growing by 0.5% compared to the third quarter and up by 1.9% year over year.