Hérault employment figures rise slightly

In the Hérault department, 131,720 people are registered with France Travail in categories A, B, and C during the third quarter of 2026, marking a 0.8% increase compared to the previous quarter. The data, released by the state’s statistical services on October 28, highlights a modest but noticeable growth in employment-related registrations.

Long-term registration grows significantly

Among those registered, 63,110 people have been on France Travail’s lists for at least one year, representing nearly half of those in categories A, B, and C. This is up from 45% in the same period of 2025, showing a steady increase in the number of people staying registered for extended periods.

Annual growth remains modest

The overall annual growth for all categories A, B, and C is much smaller, at just 0.5%, with only 650 additional registrations compared to the third quarter of 2025. However, the number of people registered for at least one year rose by 1.5% between the second and third quarters of 2026, indicating a growing trend of long-term registration.

Registration durations vary widely

The data breaks down registrations by duration: 29,120 people have been registered for one to less than two years, 13,190 for two to less than three years, and 20,800 for three years or more. These figures reflect the continuity of registration, though they do not necessarily indicate a complete lack of work, as categories A, B, and C include part-time workers as well.

Age groups show different trends

Younger individuals under 25 years old make up 19,540 of the registered population, an increase of 1.7% from the previous quarter. In contrast, those aged 50 and over account for 33,460 registered individuals, with only a 0.1% change in the quarter, showing a slower rate of growth in this age group.

Definitions clarify registration categories

France Travail’s categories measure administrative registrations rather than the unemployment rate as defined by the International Labour Organization. Category A includes people without jobs who are required to seek employment, while categories B and C include those with reduced activity. The data is seasonally adjusted to reflect quarterly averages.

Reforms affect comparison over time

The 2025 reform, which included the automatic registration of RSA beneficiaries and young people tracked by local employment agencies, complicates comparisons over time. A complementary regional indicator, excluding these new groups, shows a 0.2% increase for the quarter, compared to 0.8% for the full categories A to E.

Additional categories reflect different statuses

The Hérault also reports 13,565 people in social pathways (category F) and 10,139 awaiting orientation (category G). These figures are published as raw data and are not directly comparable to the adjusted categories A to E. The next departmental report, covering the fourth quarter of 2026, is scheduled for January 28, 2027.