Employment in France's non-farm sector decreased at a steady pace in the fourth quarter, data released by statistical office Insee showed Wednesday.

The number of employees in the market sector, excluding the farm division, decreased 0.3 percent sequentially to around 15.96 million in the fourth quarter, unchanged from the decline recorded in the third quarter.

Employment in the manufacturing sector dropped 0.3 percent from the preceding quarter. Payroll numbers in the construction sector and services decreased by 0.5 percent and 0.2 percent respectively.

Temporary employment dropped 1.8 percent during the quarter, following the 5.3 percent fall seen in the three months ended September. Excluding temporary work, the number of jobs decreased by 35,300.

Compared to the fourth quarter of 2012, non-farm payroll numbers decreased 99,500 in the fourth quarter, data showed.