France's jobless total fell last month by the most on record, labour ministry data showed on Tuesday, giving a boost to President Emmanuel Macron's efforts to turn the job market around, reports FRANCE 24.
The number of people registered as out of work in mainland France fell by 64,800 in September, the biggest decrease in figures going back to the start of 1996.
The drop, 1.8 percent over one month and 0.5 percent over one year, brought the jobless total to 3,475,600, the lowest level since April.
The improvement lends support to claims from Macron's government that their reform efforts are already beginning to deliver more jobs and growth.
Macron is counting on bringing down France's unemployment, stuck close to 10 percent for years, with an overhaul of labour market rules last month, which is to be followed with a reform of jobless benefits and professional training in the coming months.
French business confidence has surged since Macron's election in May on a pro-business reform agenda as companies shifted activity up a gear to cope with stronger demand, surveys showed earlier on Tuesday.
With new business flooding in, companies increased headcount in October at the fastest pace in over a decade to cope with growing backlogs, a closely watched monthly purchasing managers survey showed.