France has been dealing with labor shortages in several sectors, and the increasing aging population is adding to the challenge.
The MEDEF Employers’s Federation warned in 2023 that France will need 3.9 million international workers by 2050, VisaGuide.World reports.
The president of the MEDEF, Patrick Martin, as cited by Le Monde, stated that it is the economy that is “massively demanding” immigration.
By 2050, unless we reinvent our social and economic models, we will need 3.9 million foreign employees.
France Reported Labor Shortages in 95 Occupations
A recent report by the European Labour Authority revealed that France is facing shortages in 95 occupations across the country. Moreover, France emerged among EU countries with the highest number of shortage occupations.
The six countries reporting the highest number of shortage occupations (i.e., the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Romania, Slovenia, and France) together accounted for more than half (53 percent) of all the identified shortage occupations.
Some of the sectors facing shortages include manufacturing, engineering, construction, hospitality and agriculture. More specifically, the 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses identified 95 shortage occupations in France, including:
- Manufacturing laborers not elsewhere classified
- Civil engineering laborers
- Fishery and aquaculture laborers
- Domestic cleaners and helpers
- Earthmoving and related plant operators
- Mobile farm and forestry plant operators
- Heavy truck and lorry drivers
- Bus and tram drivers
- Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers
- Mechanical machinery assemblers
- Stationary plant and machine operators not elsewhere classified
- Pulp and papermaking plant operators
- Food and related products machine operators
- Sewing machine operators
- Metal processing plant operators
This means that foreigners who wish to settle in France and belong to any of the above-mentioned roles, may have a higher chance of obtaining a French work visa.
Only 6 Occupations in France Facing Surpluses
Conversely, the report has identified six surplus occupations in France, including shop supervisors, other artistic and cultural associate professionals, visual artists, journalists, authors and related writers, and other music teachers.
This indicates that foreigners may face difficulties finding employment in these roles due to high competition.
Joblessness Rate in France is 7.5%, Higher Than in Euro Area
As of January 2024, the unemployment rate in France stands at 7.5 percent according to the Eurostat data.
Although it represents a slight decrease compared to the previous month, the joblessness rate in France is 1.1 percent higher than the one in the Euro area.