Temporary jobs fell in the second quarter in France but at a slower pace than in the first, according to INSEE, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies in France.

The number of temporary workers in France fell by 0.8%, or 6,500 jobs, in the second quarter. That compares to a decline of 2.2%, or 18,100 jobs, in the first quarter. However, second-quarter temporary employment was still 1.5% above its pre-Covid level.

On a year-over-year basis, the number of temporary workers was down 1.9%, or 15,400 jobs in the second quarter, according to INSEE.

There were approximately 12.5 million temporary workers in France.

Looking at total private payrolls in France, not just temporary workers, the number of workers rose 0.1% in the second quarter to a total of nearly 21.2 million.

INSEE noted the number of jobs is up by 6.2% compared to pre-Covid, an increase of more than 1.2 million jobs.