France Jobseekers Rise in Q4, Category A Up 2.6% From Q3 and 6.8% Year on Year

Overview

• Dares counts 3,347,700 Category A jobseekers and 6,489,100 across categories A–E in the fourth quarter of 2025.
• The figures reflect expanded registration of RSA recipients and youth plus a June sanctions overhaul, which the ministry says would otherwise have limited the rise to about 2% in Q4 and 1.7% over the year.
• Including those with reduced activity, categories A–C increased 1% quarter on quarter and 4.8% year on year, while adjusted estimates show stability in Q4 and a 1.6% annual rise.
• Youth in Category A jumped 23.6% over the year, with the quarterly pace easing to 1.7% by the end of 2025.
• Independent economists warn of a real softening marked by more long‑term unemployment, as Dares also reports fewer removals under new “suspension‑remobilisation” sanctions, 812,100 in Category G, and a 42.3% rise to 255,400 in parcours social.