In France, more than three quarters of part-time employees are women

Part-time employees in France, who represent 17.4% of the total, are 77% women, while young people and seniors are also over-represented, according to a study published by the Ministry of Labor this Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

Young people also resort more to part-time work

“Regardless of age, part-time work is less common among men than among women”notes the note from the ministry's studies department (Dares), which specifies that women “mention more often the need to take care of children or loved ones”.

“Men more often use part-time work when they are young while, conversely, women use it more often after age 55”also indicates the study carried out on the basis of the 2023 INSEE Employment survey, itself carried out among around 200,000 people.

Young people, both women and men, are resorting more to part-time work to pursue studies or training. Young part-time employees work on average just over 18 hours per week, less than seniors (around 20.5 hours) and middle-aged people (nearly 25 hours).

The majority work less than five days

The majority (57.3%) of part-time workers work less than five days, while more than a third (35.3%) spread their working hours over five days and 7.3% over six or seven days.

Nearly a third of part-time employees (31.2%) work less than 24 hours per week spread over less than five days. There are more than average on fixed-term or temporary contracts, young or senior.

A large quarter (27.3%) work more than 24 hours over five days a week or more. “This type of 'long' part-time work more often affects people of intermediate age and a little more often employees”according to Dares.

A third group, which represents 26.1% of the total, also works more than 24 hours but in a more concentrated manner, on less than five days a week.

Finally, the last group (15.4% of the total) has working time “fragmented” of less than 24 hours spread over five days or more. These employees report being underemployed more than others and more often have several jobs. They also have stable schedules less frequently than others.