Temporary employment in France fell by 7.0% in the fourth quarter of 2023 when compared to Q4 2022, according to the most recent data by INSEE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies).

This means there was a decrease of 56,700 jobs year-on-year in the temporary employment in Q4 2023.

When compared to the prior quarter, INSEE saw a decrease of 1.6% (-12,000 jobs) after a quarterly fall of 2.1% (-16,300 jobs) in the previous quarter.

Temporary employment also fell by 2.5% (down 19,700) when compared to pre-pandemic levels (Q4 2019).

Meanwhile, private payroll employment in Q4 2023 exceeded its Q4 2022 level by 0.5% (113,800 jobs) and its pre-pandemic level (end of Q4 2019) by 5.8% (+1.2 million jobs).

In Q4 2023, private payroll employment (excluding temporary work) in agriculture rose over the quarter by 0.9% (+2,600 jobs) after a quarterly decrease of 1.0% in the previous quarter. It was below its Q4 2022 level (-1.5%).

Industrial private payroll employment (excluding temporary work) rose 0.3% over the quarter in Q4 2023 after a quarterly increase of 0.4% in Q3 (+9,600 jobs in Q4 after an increase of 11,900 jobs in the previous quarter). It topped its Q4 2022 level by 1.1% (or 35,000 jobs).

In construction, private payroll employment (excluding temporary work) was virtually stable over the quarter in Q4 2023 (-0.1% or down 1,600 jobs). This came after a 0.3% quarterly fall (-5,500 jobs) in Q3. It was also below its Q4 2022 level (-0.7%, that is -11,700 jobs).

In market services, private payroll employment (excluding temporary work) was at a standstill. It was virtually stable over the quarter (-0.1% or down 12,000 jobs) in Q4 2023 after a 0.3% quarter-on-quarter gain in the previous quarter (33,800 jobs). It topped its Q4 2022 level (up 1.0% or +128,200 jobs).

In non-market services, private payroll employment (excluding temporary work) slightly increased by 0.2% in Q4 2023 when compared to the prior quarter (up 5,000 jobs). This followed a more marked quarterly rise in Q3 2023 (up 0.4%, or 9,700 jobs). It was above its Q4 2022 level by 0.9% (or 23,600 jobs).