French jobless ticks up to new record in November

PARIS, Dec 24 (Reuters): More people were unemployed in France in November than ever before, data showed on Wednesday, highlighting continued weak activity in the euro zone's second-largest economy.

The Labour Ministry said the jobless total in mainland France rose by 27,400 to 3,488,300, a 0.8 per cent increase over one month and 5.8 per cent over one year. The rise was sharpest among unemployed aged 50 or over, up 11 per cent on the year.

President Francois Hollande has seen his popularity fall to the lowest ratings in French polling history, with a key factor being his failure to live up to promises to tackle unemployment.