The jobless rate in France witnessed a drop in the second quarter, which is a good thing for the Government, as the economy is showing progressing signs.

The figures released by National statistics office INSEE comprised that the unemployment rate in the country climbed down to 9.7% in the second quarter from a high of 9.9% in the first quarter. The France’s economy expanded
0.6% in Q2, higher as compared to 0.2% in Q1.

The number of people working on permanent contracts dropped to 49% from 49.3%; while those on temporary contracts increased to 6.6% from 6.4%.

Christine Lagarde, Finance Minister said, “The job market is stabilizing and we hope that will continue”.

The Government, which is experiencing a lash of criticism over its proposed budget cuts and pension reforms, can heave a sigh of relief, as the rectified jobless rate would relieve the worry of a number of consumers.

The citizens of France ridicule the Government’s plans to initiate the pay-as-you-go pension system and to make reductions in the budget, steps to decrease the burden of debts. The fall in the jobless rate would ease the anxiety of people a little, as the figure is still hovering above the pre-financial crisis rate of 8%. It is also above the unemployment rate of 7.6%, recorded by Germany in August.