The French labor model is distinguished by notably shorter working hours and more generous leave provisions compared to other European countries. According to a comprehensive study by Eurofound, France has a statutory weekly working time of 35 hours, notably lower than the European average of 40 hours, positioning it at the lowest end of the spectrum among EU member states.

Sectorial analysis reveals consistencies in this pattern: in chemical industries, French workers average 35.5 hours weekly versus 38.2 hours EU-wide; in metallurgy, 36 hours versus the EU average, with only Germany slightly lower at 35.3 hours; in banking, 35.2 hours compared to 37.8 hours in the broader EU; even in retail, a sector known for longer hours, French workers clock 35.9 hours against a European average of 38.6 hours. The public administration also aligns, at 35 hours compared to 37.7 hours EU-wide.

Annual assessments show an even more significant disparity. When accounting for negotiated weekly hours, paid leave, and public holidays, Eurofound estimates that France’s collective annual working hours in 2024 totals approximately 1,575 hours, the lowest among studied countries, contrasted with the EU average of 1,722 hours. The gap is more pronounced when compared to countries in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Estonia at 1,848 hours annually, nearly seven weeks more than France.

This reduced volume of annual work is partly attributable to France’s statutory minimum of 25 paid leave days, exceeding many European counterparts where 20 days are standard; only Malta and Luxembourg offer more, with 30 and 26 days respectively in 2024. French workers also have an average of 11 public holidays, aligning with the European median.

Decades of policy choices have intentionally curtailed working time, positioning France as an outlier amid an EU context where increasing productivity is increasingly prioritized. With estimated GDP growth of just 0.6% for 2026, significantly below the global average of 3.0%, there is an implied need for France to reconsider its labor paradigm to enhance economic resilience.

While technological advancements suggest potential for continuing reductions in working hours, the current disparities suggest an urgent societal and economic discussion around labor practices is warranted to address persistent slowdown and align more closely with growth objectives.

Source: Contrepoints