Foreigners represented more than ten per cent of the workforce in France, according to the latest Dares study on this matter, published in 2021.
This implies that one in ten workers in France was a foreigner, while the share increases to one in four in specific occupations, Schengen.News reports.
As Statista explained, referring to Dares, foreign workers represented 40 per cent of employers in household jobs.
A notable share of the immigrant workers were employed in occupations related to security and guarding, construction, and the hotel and catering industry.
Many foreigners also worked as professionals in politics and the clergy, particularly because there was a high share of foreign priests in France, accounting for one in four.
As further noted, most of these occupations were low-skilled or fairly low-skilled. However, specific medium or managerial roles were also represented in sectors facing labour shortages.
Immigration’s Net Fiscal Contribution in France Is Estimated at 0.3% of Country’s GDP
The statistics above indicate that France relies largely on a foreign workforce in some of the country’s main sectors. However, migrant workers’ contribution extends beyond alleviating labour shortages.
OECD estimates that the amount of taxes and contributions foreign workers pay in exchange for the public benefits and services they receive would be 0.3 per cent of GDP in France and 0.9 per cent of GDP on average in the OECD.
France Is Facing Labour Shortages in 95 Occupations, Recent EURES Report Reveals
Although France has a considerable number of foreign workers, it may need an additional workforce, given its challenge with labour shortages and the increasing ageing population.
The 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses identified 95 shortage occupations in France, with manufacturing, engineering, construction, hospitality and agriculture as some of the affected sectors.
Moreover, the MEDEF Employers’ Federation have cautioned that France will need about 3.9 million workers by 2050, as Le Monde reported on December 2023.
According to the MEDEF President, Patrick Martin, the economy is “massively demanding” immigration.
Unless we reinvent our social and economic models, we will need 3.9 million foreign employees.
In 2023, the total number of employers in France was estimated at 28.25 million, according to Statista. The number of workers has constantly increased since 2015, as per available data, and it is expected to further increase in the coming years.
