MakeYourChart

France unemployment rate by year, 1991 to 2025

France: 7.54% in 2025. Unemployment rate peaked at 12.59% in 1994 in this 1991–2025 series.

Make this videoDownload data (CSV)

Free to edit and export · No signup to start

What the data shows

  • France: 9.13% in 1991, 7.54% in 2025. It peaked at 12.59% in 1994.
  • Uruguay: 8.95% in 1991, 7.52% in 2025. It peaked at 16.66% in 2003.
  • Argentina: 5.44% in 1991, 7.14% in 2025. It peaked at 19.59% in 2002.
  • Serbia: 13.37% in 1991, 7.12% in 2025 (47% lower). It peaked at 24.00% in 2012.

About this chart

France's modeled unemployment rate reached a displayed-period high of 12.59% in 1994. By 2025, the estimate was 7.54%, compared with 9.13% at the start of the series in 1991. The displayed annual series runs from 1991 through 2025; its lowest value was 7.30% in 2022. The preceding annual observation, for 2024, was 7.40%.

Unemployment is the share of the labor force without work but available for and seeking employment. These are modeled ILO estimates, so they can differ from a country's headline national series and do not measure everyone without a job. In 2025, the comparison lines show Uruguay (7.52%), Argentina (7.14%) and Serbia (7.12%). These peers have the closest latest values among reporting countries with over one million people and a continuous common history; they are not selected by geography.

The data

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS), % of the labor force. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Unemployment is the share of the labor force without work but available for and seeking employment. These are modeled ILO estimates, so they can differ from a country's headline national series and do not measure everyone without a job. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series.

France: unemployment rate, % of the labor force, 1991 to 2025; three nearest peers, 1991–2025
Date🇫🇷 France🇺🇾 Uruguay🇦🇷 Argentina🇷🇸 Serbia
19919.13%8.95%5.44%13.37%
199210.20%8.96%6.36%13.40%
199311.32%8.35%10.10%13.42%
199412.59%9.04%11.76%13.40%
199511.83%10.02%18.80%13.40%
199612.37%11.93%17.11%13.20%
199712.57%11.44%14.82%13.80%
199812.07%9.36%12.65%13.70%
199911.98%10.47%14.05%13.70%
200010.22%12.63%15.00%12.60%
20018.61%15.05%17.32%12.80%
20028.70%16.65%19.59%13.80%
20038.31%16.66%15.36%15.20%
20048.91%12.98%13.52%18.50%
20058.88%12.01%11.51%20.85%
20068.83%10.84%10.08%20.85%
20078.01%9.40%8.47%18.06%
20087.39%8.03%7.84%13.67%
20099.12%7.74%8.64%16.12%
20109.28%7.16%7.71%19.20%
20119.23%6.31%7.18%22.96%
20129.84%6.45%7.22%24.00%
20139.91%6.44%7.10%22.15%
201410.27%6.55%7.27%19.22%
201510.35%7.49%7.58%17.66%
201610.06%7.84%8.09%15.26%
20179.41%7.89%8.35%13.48%
20189.02%8.34%9.22%12.73%
20198.41%8.84%9.84%10.39%
20208.01%10.41%11.46%9.01%
20217.87%9.33%8.74%9.84%
20227.30%7.88%6.80%8.44%
20237.33%8.36%6.14%8.27%
20247.40%8.21%7.15%7.24%
20257.54%7.52%7.14%7.12%

Post it

Suggested caption: “France: unemployment 12.59% in 1994, 7.54% in 2025.” Credit the source in your caption; it heads off the 'source?' comments.

Make it yours

  • Switch between bar, line, column and donut races with one click.
  • Pick 9:16 for Reels and TikTok, 4:5 for the feed or 16:9 for YouTube.
  • Change the theme, font, colors and race length, and add your own captions.
  • Paste your own numbers from Excel or Google Sheets. See the animated line chart maker for tips.

Frequently asked questions

What is the unemployment rate in France?

France's unemployment rate was 7.54% of the labor force in 2025 in the World Bank's modeled ILO series. National statistical releases may use a different series.

When was France's unemployment rate highest in this series?

The highest displayed value was 12.59% in 1994. This comparison covers 1991 through 2025; it is not a claim about years outside the available series.

Why are these countries compared with France?

The comparison selects three countries with the closest 2025 values, among countries with over one million people and at least fifteen consecutive annual observations in common. The matching is based on the indicator level, not economic structure or geographic proximity.

Where does this data come from?

World Bank, World Development Indicators (SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS), % of the labor force. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Unemployment is the share of the labor force without work but available for and seeking employment. These are modeled ILO estimates, so they can differ from a country's headline national series and do not measure everyone without a job. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

Can I turn this chart into a video?

Yes. Open it in the editor, change the title, theme, colors or format (9:16 for Reels and TikTok, 16:9 for YouTube), and export an MP4. Free exports are 720p with a small watermark; Pro ($11.99/month) removes it and adds 1080p, 4K and 60 fps.

Related data

All money charts
WorldReal data

France's population

France: UN projects a 68.53M population peak in 2095. Its medium scenario puts 2100 at 68.48M, compared with 66.44M in 2023.

MoneyReal data

France's GDP

France GDP reached $3.37T in 2025. Its rank was 4 in 1980 and 7 in 2025. Current US dollars, not real growth.

WorldReal data

France: life expectancy

France: 83.0 years in 2024. Life expectancy peaked at 83.0 years in 2024 in this 1990–2024 series.