The labor market +1.9% job gains in 2007 (+1% in 2006) reflected France’s path towards developing the services sector while manufacturing and industry recorded significant job losses

In Q4 and overall, the labor market rose a tepid +0.3% compared with the previous quarter as manufacturing and industry saw jobs decline respectively -0.4% and -0.3% impacted by order books’ roller coaster pattern. France’s producer prices which had remained among the lowest in the Euro area up to August, soared by Q4 year-on-year and lost their competitive edge. By contrast, the services job market and locally for the most part, grew +0.4%.                                            

Per sector and on the same period, the Food and Agriculture Industry's job scene stayed quasi stable or +0.1% while Consumer Goods recorded -0.9% job decline. Leather-clothing recorded the strongest job cut -1.5% followed by Household equipment -1.2% due to increasing imports originating from lesser priced countries including China, Northern Africa and Eastern Europe. Book printing and reprints saw jobs fall -0.9% Perfumes-pharmacy and personal care products also recorded a job decline although less significant -0.1%

The Automobile Industry very competitive environment recorded -1% job losses, and throughout the year, assembly lines temporary shut downs occurred on several occasions. Jobs within the Intermediate Goods sector did not fare better and fell -0.3% with jobs in the textile sector impacted the most -1.8% along with chemicals-plastic and rubber -0.7.%

The Electric and electronic components job market grew a modest +0.2% nearly similarly to Capital Goods quasi stable or +0.1% electric and electronic equipment jobs. That major industrial sector saw jobs rise a modest +0.2% reflecting heavy job losses -0.8% in shipbuilding-airplanes and railroad manufacturing due to major manufacturers restructuring plans. Out of sectors impacted the least by job losses, the Construction sector saw jobs increase +0.7% as a chronic lack of housing kept the market sustained, along with Transport +0.5% and Commerce at a more modest gain +0.2%. Real Estate recorded +0.4% job increase while Services to Individuals +1.3%, benefited from this new niche such as domestic and care services +1.7%, while Services to Companies remained stable or +0.1%.

In one year, sectors recorded heavy job losses however: Consumer Goods saw jobs fall -2.8%(leather-clothing -4.2% household equipment -4.8%, pharmacy-perfumes and personal care products +0.4%). The Automobile Industry -3.6% job losses accounted for the hardest cut while the Intermediate Goods group -1.3% job decline included the textile industry -5.2% job cuts and chemicals-plastic-rubber -2.4% Capital Goods stayed afloat or +0.1% as jobs in the electronic-electric equipment segment fell a massive -2% slightly offset by mechanical equipment +1.1% job gains and shipbuilding-airplanes and railroad manufacturing +0.6%. The Food and Agriculture Industry’s job market stayed quasi stable or +0.2%

The Services sector ranked first in job creations and rose +2.6% while industry and manufacturing saw jobs decline respectively -1.1% and -1.4%. Services to Individuals accounted for the fastest job creation rate +4.4% pushed up by domestic and care services +6.4% job increase although they accounted for part-time or temporary occupations for the majority. Hotels and restaurants created +3.4% jobs and recreational-cultural and sporting activities +1.7% Construction’s +4.2% job increase was followed by Services to Companies +2.9% (out of which consulting services saw jobs rise +4.1%) and Real Estate +2.8%. Jobs in the Transport sector rose +2% and in the Commerce group employment rose  +1.5% with retail and repair +2.2%, while the wholesale sector job creations increased +0.9%.