2024-11-08 05:36:00
According to the OECD, a full-time French employee works on average 38.7 hours per week: 54% of French people consider that this duration is just what is needed29% that it is too much
According to the OECD, in 2023 in France, a full-time employee will work on average 38.7 hours per week. Regarding this information, 54% of French people believe that it is just what is needed29% too much et 17% not enough.
The majority of working people (55%) and retirees (57%) believe that this duration is just what is needed. For the rest, active people are more inclined to believe that this level is too much high (33% vs. 15% of retirees) while nearly 30% of retirees consider that this is not not enough (28% vs. 12% of assets). Among the active population, an absolute or relative majority within the different socio-professional categories believe that this level is just what is neededhowever, we observe that more executives (42%) consider that 38.7 hours per week is too much high (29% of intermediate professions, 33% of employees/workers).
40% of employed workers that we surveyed say they work 36 hours or less, i.e. below the average calculated by the OECD, 43% say they work around this duration (between 37 hours and 40 hours) and 17% significantly more (41 hours or more). It is interesting to note that the judgment of employed workers on this duration of 38.7 hours is correlated with the weekly duration that they themselves devote to work:
- Workers who report on average working 36 hours per week or less are shared between just what is needed (51%) et too much (42%)
- Those who say they work around the duration calculated by the OECD, i.e. between 37 and 40 hours per week, are a clear majority who judge that it’s just what is needed (64%)
- Beyond 40 hours worked per week on average, they are more shared between just what is needed (47%) et not enough (35%)
Finally, from a political point of view, the majority of NFP voters (in the first round of the 2024 legislative elections) believe that it is trop (56%) while the other electorates consider that it is just what is needed : Ensemble voters (61% and 27% not enough), LR/UDI/DVD (57% and 38%) and the National Rally (57% and 21%).
47% of French people feel that we work as much as in other developed countries, 39% that we work less
In terms of the number of hours worked by employed people, 47% of French people have the feeling that we work as much as in other developed countries, 39% that we work less and 14% more.
A small majority of working people have the feeling that we are working as much (52%) than in other developed countries, retirees who work less (55%).
A perception that differs depending on the vote:
- The majority of NFP voters have the feeling that we are working as much than others (59%)
- Right-wing voters (63%) and Together we work less (59%)
- National Rally voters are divided (46% less40% as much)
Note that in 2023, the OECD indicates that people in full-time employment work in France 38.7 hours per week on average, i.e. a duration less than the average for OECD countries (40.3 hours ), the United States (41.2) and most other Western European countries: United Kingdom (40.9), Italy (39.5), Spain (39.3), Germany (39.2), except Belgium (38.6).
Source: OECD, 2023, OECD Data Explorer,
3 out of 4 workers say they work overtime regularly or from time to time
The impossibility of doing it (the company does not offer it) and the desire to prioritize time for oneself and one’s loved ones are the main causes cited by employees who do not work overtime.
76% of employees say that they sometimes work overtime, including 37% regularly et 39% from time to time. Conversely, 24% declare (almost) never do it. More managers (47%) than intermediate professions (39%) and employees/workers (31%) report doing regularly overtime.
The causes mentioned by employees who (almost) never do overtime hours are: this is not offered within their company (44%, or 33% of all employees) in front of the wish not to work more to have time for oneself and loved ones (27%, or 21%), the fact that it’s not paid enough (14%, or 11%), the lack of recognition “ my work is not recognized enough, my company does not deserve me to put in extra effort » (11%, or 8%), reasons for health or fatigue (9%, or 7%) and family reasons (9%, or 7%).
“The quantity of hours worked is no longer enough to finance our social model” : 6 out of 10 French people do not agree with this sentence pronounced by the Minister of the Economy
The Minister of the Economy Antoine Armand recently declared that “the quantity of hours worked is no longer enough to finance our social model”. 59% of French people say not to agree with this sentence, of which 32% don’t really agree et 27% totally disagree. Conversely, 40% are All rightdont 27% mostly agree et 13% totally agree.
We also observe on this question a significant gap between assets which are mainly not disagree with this sentence pronounced by the Minister of the Economy (62%) and retirees who are a narrow majority to approve (51%).
This observation made by the Minister of the Economy is divisive from a political point of view: it is shared by right-wing (76%) and Ensemble (65%) voters but not by NFP voters (83%). and to a lesser extent the RN (59%).
To reduce the deficit, 43% of French people reject any measure to increase working hours
The weekly increase is favored over the solidarity day and the postponement of the retirement age
To reduce the public deficit, 43% of French people believe that it is necessary as a priority increase the legal weekly working time31% that is needed as a priority establish a day of solidarity to replace a public holiday et 22% postpone retirement age. Conversely, 43% of French people believe that we should not adopt none of these measures.
In all population categories and electorates, the increase in weekly working time is the measure which is considered, in comparison, the highest priority, the postponement of the retirement age the least priority.
These 3 measures are generally more supported by retirees than by workers, this is particularly the case for the increase in legal weekly working time (53% of retirees consider this measure a priority for reducing the deficit, compared to 40% of workers) and the establishment of a day of solidarity to replace a public holiday (39% vs. 28%). Thus, 46% of workers believe that it should not be adopted nonecompared to 34% of retirees.
Politically:
- The majority of right-wing and Ensemble voters believe that it is a priority to increase weekly working time (respectively 61% and 54%) and to establish a day of solidarity (48% et 50%)
- On the other hand, the majority of NFP voters consider that it is not necessary to adopt none of these measures (57%)
- Between these two blocs, RN voters are generally close to the French average, 47% are in favor of the weekly increase, 23% solidarity day, 23% postponement of retirement age et 45% none of these measures.
The look of theMontaigne Institute :
In the midst of the parliamentary debate on the 2025 budget, the question of French working hours resurfaces as a potential source of growth and financing of our welfare state while the social security deficit is estimated at nearly €18 billion in 2024.
However, according to our survey, six out of ten French people reject the idea, put forward by the Minister of the Economy, according to which working hours should be increased to finance our social model. This figure particularly resonates with the conclusions of the latest note from the Institut Montaigne “Public finances: the end of illusions”. It underlined an insufficient awareness of the French regarding the state of public finances and the reforms essential to correct their trajectory, in particular with regard to social reforms. The widening pension deficit, which has contributed to two-thirds of the increase in public debt over the last thirty years, illustrates this problem.
Finally, to reduce our public deficit, the Elabe survey measures that 43% of French people reject any measure to increase working hours. A weekly increase is favored on the solidarity day and the postponement of the retirement age. As a reminder, the Montaigne Institute has estimated the gains from raising the retirement age to 66 at 30 billion euros by 2050. But here again, public opinion is not not ready to make compromises when the budgetary benefits are real. Is the fault in a lack of vision and solid political direction for the coming years?
Lisa Thomas-Darbois | Director of French Studies
Download the report: The French and working hours
Image credits: Business – Pixabay
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The data you presented highlights various perspectives of the French public regarding working hours, overtime, and perceptions of labor in comparison to other developed countries. Here’s a summary of the key points:
### Working Hours Perception
1. **Satisfaction with Current Hours**:
– 51% believe they are working “just what is needed,” while 42% feel it’s “too much.”
– Among those working 37 to 40 hours as per OECD guidelines, a significant majority (64%) feel it’s “just what is needed.”
– For those working beyond 40 hours, opinions are split between “just what is needed” (47%) and “not enough” (35%).
2. **Political Perspectives**:
– Majority of NFP voters think current hours are “too much” (56%).
– Voters from other parties (Ensemble, LR/UDI/DVD, National Rally) lean towards thinking it’s “just what is needed.”
### Comparison with Other Countries
– 47% of French people feel they work as much as those in other developed countries, while 39% think they work less, and 14% believe they work more.
– Full-time employed individuals in France work an average of 38.7 hours per week, which is less than the average for OECD countries (40.3 hours) and the U.S. (41.2 hours).
### Overtime Work
– A substantial 76% of employees report that they work overtime, split between 37% who do so regularly and 39% “from time to time.”
– Employees who do not engage in overtime cite reasons such as the company’s lack of offering overtime (44%), prioritizing personal time (27%), and insufficient pay (14%).
### Economic Model and Public Sentiment
– 59% of respondents disagree with the Minister of the Economy’s statement that current working hours are insufficient to finance the social model.
- There’s a political divide where right-wing voters largely agree with the Minister’s statement (76%), while a significant majority of NFP voters (83%) disagree.
### Proposed Measures to Address the Deficit
– When considering measures to reduce the public deficit, 43% of the population prioritizes increasing legal weekly working time.
– Other measures such as establishing a day of solidarity or postponing retirement age are less favored.
– There is a divergence in views based on demographics, with retirees generally more supportive of increasing working hours compared to workers.
### Implications
The ongoing debate around working hours suggests a complex landscape influenced by political affiliation, occupation, and generational perspectives. As French lawmakers consider budget measures, public sentiment indicated by the survey could play a role in shaping future labor policies. The majority’s rejection of the notion that increased working hours are necessary to sustain the welfare system may challenge recommendations for labor law adjustments.
