The number of unemployed people in France increased in the third quarter due to the registration of new populations in France Travail and a change in radiation regulations, although without these effects it tends to decrease, according to official figures published on Tuesday.
The number of job seekers registered with France Travail in category A (without activity) thus increased by 1.6% in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the second, and by 7.6% in one year, reported the study service of the Ministry of Labor (Dares). The number of unemployed in this category stood at an average of 3.26 million this summer.
This figure takes into account the automatic registration of RSA beneficiaries and young people in the integration process. Without these new enrollees, the number of category A unemployed would have increased by only 0.7% in the quarter and 6.3% in one year, indicates Dares.
New sanctions regime
The increase is also explained by a drop in the number of exclusions due to a new sanctions regime that came into force at the beginning of June. On average, the number of delistings fell to 2,000 per month in the third quarter, compared to 45,000 per month in the first quarter of 2025.
Without a modification to the penalty rules, the number of registrants in the third quarter of 2025 would have decreased by 1% for category A, according to the ministry, so “it is these changes that best reflect the current situation of the labor market.”
For the three categories of unemployed forced to look for work (A, B and C), some of whom have reduced activity, the number of unemployed increased by 1.5% in the quarter and 5.3% in one year. Their number amounts to 5.7 million.
This increase is reduced to 0.8% in the quarter and 4% in one year when new audiences are eliminated. Finally, without taking into account the drop in penalties, the evolution of the three categories would be oriented downwards in the third quarter, by 0.3%.
Source: BFM TV
