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UK vs France Unemployment
France has posted the higher Unemployment in every published year. In 1991 United Kingdom stood at roughly 94% of France’s Unemployment; today the figure is about 63%, and the pair was closest in 1992 (96%).
| Year | United Kingdom | France | France as % of UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 9.13% | 8.55% | 94% |
| 1970 | 9.13% | 8.55% | 94% |
| 1980 | 9.13% | 8.55% | 94% |
| 1990 | 9.13% | 8.55% | 94% |
| 2000 | 10.22% | 5.56% | 54% |
| 2010 | 9.28% | 7.97% | 86% |
| 2020 | 8.01% | 4.47% | 56% |
| 2025 | 7.54% | 4.75% | 63% |
Frequently asked questions
When did France move above United Kingdom in Unemployment?
It has not come to that. France has posted the higher Unemployment in every published year (1991–2025).
How do United Kingdom and France compare today?
France is ahead: 7.54% against 4.75% — the trailing economy stands at about 63% of the leader.
Are these Unemployment figures nominal or adjusted?
The series is a share expressed in % of total labor force, exactly as the World Bank publishes it; movements are percentage points, not percent.
Full series
Every published year for both economies, with charts, downloads and citations: