The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) reported on Wednesday that the French private payroll employment rose sharply in the second quarter of 2021.

According to the Insee’s final estimate, private payroll employment increased by 265,100 (or 1.4 percent) q-o-q in the second quarter after an upwardly revised 149,800 (or 0.8 percent) q-o-q advance in the first quarter. The Insee’s initial estimate, which was released a month ago, suggested a gain of 239,500 (or 1.2 percent) q-o-q in private payroll employment in the second quarter.

Payroll employment exceeded its pre-crisis level (end of 2019) by 0.4 percent in the private sector.

In the reviewed period, the market services (+246,700) recorded the largest increase in private payroll employment, followed by non-market services (+10,700) and construction (+3,100). Employment in industry (+2,600) and agriculture (+2,000) also rose.

In y-o-y terms, private payroll employment increased by 719,500 jobs (or 3.8 percent).