The number of temporary workers in France increased by an average of 1.8% in 2018, year-on-year, according to Prism’Emploi, the French association of employment agencies.

Prism’Emploi said the 1.8% growth corresponded to the creation of nearly 13,000 full-time equivalent jobs.

Broken down by quarter, the first quarter showed an increase of 8.8% and the second 4.8%. The third quarter stagnated with -0.4% growth and ended with a decline in the fourth quarter of -4.8%.

By sector, the services sector recorded the strongest growth of 6.4%. Industry saw a slight decline over the year with a decrease of -0.4%.

In 2018, all professional categories reported growth with executives and middle-level occupations, as well as employees both reporting an increase of + 3.5%. Skilled workers rose by 1.3%, and unskilled workers increased by 0.9%.

At the same time, temporary employment increased in all regions, except for Occitan (-0.7%) and Normandy (-1.0%). Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes saw the most significant growth in 2018, of  5.1%.on average.

Meanwhile, Prism’Emploi also reported data for December 2018. Temporary work fell by 5.9%, corresponding to the sharpest monthly decline of the year.

In December 2018, temporary employment rose in services (+3.7%) and construction (+2.1%). However, it declined in trade (-2.8%), industry (-9.0%) and transport (-12.8%).

Among professional categories, the number of temporary workers fell in middle management and occupations (-3.1%), unskilled workers (-5.6%), employees (-6.8%) and skilled workers (-7.3%).

Among the regions, the only region that reported growth in December 2018 was the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region with a slight increase of 0.1%. Bourgogne Franche-Comté saw the most significant decrease at 11.3%.