Hiring intentions in France are down 8.5% this year when compared to 2023, returning to 2019 levels, according to the latest ‘survey on manpower needs’ by French government employment service France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi).

The decline was seen in a large number of sectors, notably construction, transport and warehousing, wholesale trade, industry, more particularly in the areas of woodworking, paper and printing, as well as for part of the business services sector.

The proportion of establishments planning to hire is decreasing (28.2% in 2024 compared to 31.0% in 2023).

Recruitment projects are also down by 7.1% in the personal services sector.However it remains the leading recruiting by sector in 2024.

Seven out of ten recruitment projects are carried out by small establishments (less than 50 employees).

Meanwhile, recruitment considered to be “difficult” is decreasing: 57.4% compared to 61% in 2023. However, six out of ten employers believe that they will encounter difficulties in recruiting in 2024. The insufficient number of candidates, inadequate profiles and working conditions lead to these difficulties.

The survey also found that in 2024 85% of organizations are banking on the skills of France Travail to overcome these recruitment difficulties, and 72 % of employers intend to take advantage of the support services offered by the institution. This was in addition to resorting to talent training, publishing more attractive offers or soliciting employment intermediaries.