France short-time work share of wage bill
France short-time work share of wage bill stood at 0.13% in Jul 2026, according to URSSAF – Union de recouvrement des cotisations de sécurité sociale et d'allocations familiales. It is one of the indicators in the Monthly wage bill and short-time work table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 2018 to Jul 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Monthly wage bill and short-time work table
| Indicator | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | 10-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-time work share of wage bill | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.16 | 0.18 | 0.11 | 0.12 | 0.13 | |
| Gross wage bill | 61,681.05 | 65,783.95 | 60,896.76 | 62,661.98 | 67,495.02 | 59,796.38 | 60,209.9 | 67,979.25 | 63,697.52 | 58,967.17 | |
| Wage bill, year-on-year growth | 1.4 | 1.78 | 1.15 | 1.3 | 1.67 | 1.79 | 1.46 | 1.27 | 1.65 | 1.63 |
Understanding france short-time work share of wage bill
This indicator expresses the proportion of total private-sector remuneration that is funded or supported through state-assisted reduced working hour mechanisms, calculated as a direct ratio. By dividing temporary layoff compensation bases by total payroll, the metric captures the relative intensity of labor market distress and state intervention across the economy. Unlike absolute monetary totals, this proportional figure normalizes the scale of support, allowing researchers to gauge the relative reliance of businesses on emergency or structural partial activity schemes.
Interpreting this percentage requires caution during periods of sudden macroeconomic stabilization, as base effects can cause rapid shifts in the ratio even when absolute support volumes remain elevated. Analysts should note that regulatory eligibility rules determine the numerator, meaning legislative adjustments can alter the share without any underlying change in labor utilization. Comparing this ratio across different temporal phases highlights structural shifts in labor market flexibility and economic resilience.
Frequently asked questions
- How is this percentage calculated?
- It is derived by dividing the partial activity allowance base by the total gross wage bill.
- What does a rising share indicate about the economy?
- An increasing ratio points to higher reliance on state-supported reduced working hours due to economic distress or operational disruptions.
- Can regulatory changes affect this indicator?
- Yes, alterations to government eligibility rules for partial activity schemes can shift the ratio independent of market trends.