France's unemployment rate rose to 8.3% in Q2 from 8.1% in Q1, above economists' median forecast of 8.2% and the highest reading since end-2020, the national statistics office said. The weakening labour market has dented President Macron's record and led the government to shelve its goal of achieving full employment by the end of his second term next year. Officials and the data pointed to energy-price shocks from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and a new Iran-related conflict as key factors adding

France's unemployment rate rose to 8.3% in Q2 from 8.1% in Q1, above economists' median forecast of 8.2% and the highest reading since end-2020, the national statistics office said. The weakening labour market has dented President Macron's record and led the government to shelve its goal of achieving full employment by the end of his second term next year. Officials and the data pointed to energy-price shocks from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and a new Iran-related conflict as key factors adding strain to the economy.