France's unemployment rate remained stable in April, indicating that eurozone member states joblessness rise during last year's economic downturn may be easing.
The news follows improvements in the eurozone labour market, following efforts by member states in recent years to cut unemployment by making labour markets more flexible.
In common with fellow eurozone members, France has seen only a moderate rise in joblessness despite the most severe global slowdown in a decade.
France's labour ministry said today unemployment rose by 0.4 per cent in April to 2.428 million, according to the standard international measure which includes everyone seeking work but unable to find it.
But the April figures showed an easing in the pace of increase, and the rate remained unchanged at 9.1 per cent.
France, in common with Germany and Italy, saw economic growth in the first three months of this year after a contraction in activity in the previous three months.