Overview

• The Rexecode study reveals French workers averaged 1,673 hours in 2023, placing them among the least-working nations in Europe, though slightly ahead of Finland and Sweden.
• France's annual work hours fall significantly below the European average of 1,790 hours, which includes countries like Germany, where workers logged three weeks more on average.
• The report highlights that French full-time workers' hours are among the lowest in Europe, though when part-time work is included, France approaches the European average.
• France's employment rate is also lower than the EU average, with only 68% of people aged 15-64 employed compared to 70% in the EU and 77% in Germany.
• The findings have reignited debates over labor policies, including recent proposals to modestly increase annual work hours, which faced strong opposition and were ultimately shelved.