French unemployment rises again
France's unemployment rate rose slightly in the third quarter of 2016 - bad news for the young jobseekers who accounted for most of the rise but also for President François Hollande who promised not to stand for reelection if he had not made a significant dent in the figures.
Issued on:
French unemployment rose 0.1 percentage points to 9.7 percent in mainland France.
If French overseas territories are included, it stands at 10 percent.
The small rise followed a fall to 9.6 percent, its lowest since 2012, in the second quarter, having reached a peak in the third quarter of 2015.
Youth unemployment rose 1.2 points to 25.1 percent, its highest since 2012.
When Hollande was elected in 2012 unemployment was 9.3 percent in mainland France and 9.7 percent overall.
July-September unemployment in mainland France was 2.8 million, according to the Insee statistics office, down 0.4 percentage points on the same period last year.
There has been "positive evolution" over the year, Labour Minister Myriam El Khomri commented.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning
Subscribe