France short-time work share: research and development
France short-time work share: research and development stood at 0.18% in Q2 2026, according to URSSAF – Union de recouvrement des cotisations de sécurité sociale et d'allocations familiales. It is one of the indicators in the Private employment and short-time work (URSSAF) table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q1 2018 to Q2 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Private employment and short-time work (URSSAF) table
| Indicator | Q2-2026 | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-time work base as a share of the gross wage bill | |||||||||||
| Research and development | 0.18 | 0.17 | 0.19 | 0.18 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.21 | 0.25 | 0.2 | 0.2 | |
| Other professional, scientific and technical activities | 0.09 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.09 | 0.11 | 0.16 |
Understanding france short-time work share: research and development
Dividing state-backed wage support allocations by aggregate gross remuneration yields this proportion for scientific investigation and experimental development enterprises. The measure tracks the intensity of reduced working schedules among salaried researchers, laboratory technicians, and experimental engineering staff. Unlike standard manufacturing or commercial services, research and development activities are heavily reliant on long-term grant funding, venture capital, and multi-year scientific initiatives, meaning short-time utilization reflects shifts in funding pipelines or technological pivots. The data strictly encompasses salaried laboratory personnel and scientific researchers, leaving out independent scientific consultants and academic researchers funded directly through university endowments.
Interpreting these research-focused percentages requires accounting for grant disbursement cycles and academic calendar shifts that can create artificial quarterly volatility. Initial estimates frequently undergo revision as research laboratories reconcile complex public-private funding streams and grant allocations. Comparing identical quarters across successive years offers the most reliable gauge of labor stability in scientific endeavors, as sequential comparisons often miss multi-year project cycles. Users must avoid comparing R&D labor metrics directly against retail or hospitality indices, given the unique financing structures of scientific innovation.
Frequently asked questions
- What prompts research and development firms to adopt short-time work?
- Delays in grant approvals, sudden funding contractions, or the completion of specific experimental phases can idle salaried laboratory staff.
- Are university researchers captured in this corporate R&D series?
- No, university-based academics funded through educational budgets are excluded from these private sector employer declarations.
- Why are initial R&D figures subject to regular revisions?
- Labor compensation in research facilities often involves complex public and private funding reconciliations that take time to finalize.