Temporary employment in France fell in the third quarter and remains below its pre-pandemic level, Insee reported. Still, the rate of decline eased, France’s National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies said.

Temp jobs fell by 3,900 jobs in the third quarter when compared with the second quarter to a total of 732,800, according to the organisation.

Insee noted the third quarter decrease was smaller than the reduction in the second quarter, when France lost 16,200 temp jobs compared to the first.

On a year-over-year basis, the country recorded a decline of 36,400 temporary jobs in the third quarter.

Insee also compared temporary employment numbers in the third quarter to the end of 2019 — just prior to the pandemic. Temp jobs are down 42,900 in the third quarter compared to that point.

Overall, total private employment in France fell by 25,000 jobs in the third quarter compared to the second; however, it was down just 4,900 on a year-over-year basis.

Total non-farm employment in the third quarter was nearly 21.1 million jobs.