The 2023 Europe’s Report on shortages and surpluses has revealed that France is facing a shortage of workers in more than 90 occupations.
Industries facing shortages include manufacturing, engineering, construction, hospitality and agriculture, SchengenNews reports.
In addition to shortages, the ageing population in France is growing, which implies that the country may rely on foreign workers to fill the most in-demand jobs.
According to the latest EURES report, some of the 95 shortage occupations in France are as follows:
- Manufacturing labourers not elsewhere classified
- Civil engineering labourers
- Fishery and aquaculture labourers
- Domestic cleaners and helpers
- Earthmoving and related plant operators
- Mobile farm and forestry plant operators
- Heavy truck and lorry drivers
- Bus and tram drivers
- Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers
- Mechanical machinery assemblers
- Stationary plant and machine operators not elsewhere classified
- Pulp and papermaking plant operators
- Food and related products machine operators
- Sewing machine operators
- Metal processing plant operators
- Craft and related workers not elsewhere classified
- Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and hatters
- Cabinet-makers and related workers
- Bakers, pastry cooks and confectionery makers
- Butchers, fishmongers and related food preparers
On the other hand, the report has identified six occupations in surplus in the case of France. This means that candidates may have low chances of finding employment in any of the following professions:
- Shop supervisors
- Other artistic and cultural associate professionals
- Visual artists
- Journalists
- Authors and related writers
- Other music teachers
France Will Need 3.9 Million Foreign Workers by 2050
In December 2023, The MEDEF Employers’ Federation warned that the country will need 3.9 million workers by 2050, as reported by the Le Monde newspaper.
The president of the MEDEF, Patrick Martin, said that it is the economy that is “massively demanding” immigration.
Unless we reinvent our social and economic models, we will need 3.9 million foreign employees.Patrick Martin, President of MEDEF
Do You Need a Visa to Work in France?
Expect citizens of the EU and EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA), others need a visa in order to live and work in France.
Depending on the type/purpose of employment and period of stay, France offers several types of work visas, such as:
- Salaried employee visas
- Work visa for creating and running a business or company
- Work visa for professionals and independent workers
- Long-stay Sports visa
- Long-stay visa for Volunteer work
- International Organization work visa
The Interior Ministry data shows that France granted 320,000 first-time residence permits to non-European immigrants in 2023, representing a 1.4 per cent increase compared to 2022.
According to Le Monde, 54,000 permits accounted for economic immigration, five per cent more than the year 2022.
