French unemployment rises for 19th consecutive month
The number of people looking for work in France rose to 3.13 million in November, the highest level since January 1998.
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Official figures from the national statistics institute, Insee, show the number of registered job seekers with no work whatsoever increased by 29,300 people, or 0.9 percent compared to October.
Taking into account people who are under-employed or are looking for extra work, the number of job seekers grew to 4.62 million in metropolitan France, and close to five million if figures in France’s overseas departments are included.
The number of job seekers over 50 years old and under 25 years old both rose by 1.2 percent, more than any other category.
The unemployment rate broke the symbolic three-million barrier in September this year.
The highest number of job seekers was recorded in January 1997, when 3.2 million people were looking for work.
On Thursday, French President François Hollande reiterated his pledge to reduce unemployment between now and the end of 2013.
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