2BudgetofFranceTravail
2.1GeneralOverview
FranceTravail,formerlyPôleEmploi,istheFrenchpublicagencyresponsible forsupportingjobseekersandmanagingunemploymentbenefits.Itstotalbudgetfor2024isestimatedatapproximately 18,ofwhich 4,2 isforoperationalexpenses(theremainderbeingdedicatedtounemploymentbenefits).Thebudget isfundedbyUnédic,theState,andEuropeanorregionalfunds.Comparedtothe othercountriesstudied,FranceTravail’soperationalbudgetisrelativelymodest duetostrongcentralizationandrelianceonUnédiccontributions,whichlimit thefundsavailableforoperationscomparedtomoredecentralizedsystems(like theUnitedStates)orthosewithhigherstatesubsidies(likeGermanyandthe UnitedKingdom).
2.2BreakdownoftheOperationalBudget
• Salaries: 1,26 to 1,68 (30-40%),forapproximately50,000agents,withanaveragenetsalaryof 2630month (nationalmediansalary: 2150month,Insee2024; averageunemploymentrate2024:7,4%,Insee).
• Training: 1,26to1,68(30-40%),fortrainingprogramsandemploymentsupport. Nationaleducationbudget2024: 63,6 (2,2%ofGDP,GDP= 2900,source:PFL 2024,Insee).
• Operations: 0,84 to 1,05 (20-25%),foragenciesanddigitaltools.
• Others: 0,21 to 0,42 (5-10%),forpartnershipsandcommunication.
Intermsofbudgetallocation,thefocusisonsalariesandtraining.Akeyaspecttonoteistraining.Itrepresentsthelargestshareoftheoperationalbudgetcomparedtoothercountries(3.2,4.2,5.2),exceptforSpain,whichissimilar(6.2).However,seriousreflectionisneededonthecostlyFrencheducation system(PFL2024, 63,6)relativetoitsoutcomes.Withamoreintegratedbudgetbetweeneducationandemployment,areflectiononlinkingthetwocould bevaluable.First,allocatingthebudgetforpost-studytrainingtotheeducation budget,resultingfrominadequateinitialtraining,couldraiseawarenessofthe consequencesofeducationonfuturebudgetsandaligntheobjectivesofboth organizations,whichmayoperateseparately.
2.3EvolutionoftheOperationalBudget(2020-2024)
• 2020: 3,5 (51,17inhabitant).
• 2021: 3,5 (51,17inhabitant).
• 2022: 3,8 (55,56inhabitant).
• 2023: 4,0 (58,48inhabitant).
ComparisonofEmploymentAgencies:France,UK,USA,Germany,Spain
• 2024: 4,2 (61,40inhabitant).
Theoperationalbudgetincreasedfrom 3,5 to 4,2 between2020and2024.The increaseoccurredpost-crisis,risingfrom 51,17inhabitant to 55,56inhabitant.The upwardtrendcontinuedbetween2022and2024.
2.4EvolutionoftheOperationalBudgetRelativetoGDP(20202024)
FranceTravail’soperationalbudgethasremainedrelativelystableasashare ofFrenchGDP,withaslightincreaseduringtheCovidcrisis(2020-2021)dueto increasedneedsforjobseekersupport:
• 2020: 3,5 (0,15%ofGDP,GDP= 2300).
• 2021: 3,5 (0,14%ofGDP,GDP= 2500).
• 2022: 3,8 (0,14%ofGDP,GDP= 2650).
• 2023: 4,0 (0,14%ofGDP,GDP= 2800).
• 2024: 4,2 (0,14%ofGDP,GDP= 2900).
Therelativestability(0,14-0,15%)reflectsaconsistentprioritizationofemploymentdespitetheeconomiccontractionin2020.Theslightincreasein2022-2024 correspondstoinflationandinvestmentsindigitalization.Thisbudgetstability resultsfromitsstructure.WhenabudgetisbasedonapercentageofGDP,it imposesincreaseswithoutconsideringefficiency-drivenadjustments.Wewill seethatthisstabilityissimilartothatpracticedbytheUnitedKingdom(3.4).
3.1GeneralOverview
JobcentrePlus,managedbytheDepartmentforWorkandPensions(DWP),administersunemploymentbenefits(e.g.,Jobseeker’sAllowance,UniversalCredit) andsupportsjobseekers.Itstotalbudgetfor2024isestimatedatapproximately 80,ofwhich 4,9 isforoperationalexpenses.ThebudgetisfundedbytheBritish government.
3.2BreakdownoftheOperationalBudget
• Salaries: 1,47 to 1,96 (30-40%),forapproximately80,000agents,withanaveragenetsalaryof 2920month (nationalmediansalary: 2400month,ONS2024; averageunemploymentrate2024:4,2%,ONS).
• Training: 0,98 to 1,47 (20-30%),forprogramssuchastheBacktoWorkPlan. Nationaleducationbudget2024: 120 (3,9%ofGDP,GDP= 3050,source:ONS, SpringBudget2024).
• Operations: 0,98 to 1,225 (20-25%),foragenciesandITsystems.
• Others: 0,245 to 0,49 (5-10%),forpartnershipsandcommunication.
Intermsofbudgetallocation,thefocusisonsalariesandtraining.However, trainingcostsareslightlylowerthanthoseofFranceTravail(Section2.2).
3.3EvolutionoftheOperationalBudget(2020-2024)
• 2020: 4,1 (60,65inhabitant).
• 2021: 4,1 (60,65inhabitant).
• 2022: 4,45 (65,83inhabitant).
• 2023: 4,68 (69,23inhabitant).
• 2024: 4,9 (72,49inhabitant).
TheoperationalbudgetishigherperinhabitantcomparedtoFrance(+9,48).The budgetincreasedfrom 4,1 to 4,9 between2020and2024.Theincreaseoccurred post-crisis,risingfrom 60,65inhabitant to 72,49inhabitant.Theupwardtrendcontinuedbetween2022and2024.
3.4EvolutionoftheOperationalBudgetRelativetoGDP(20202024)
JobcentrePlus’soperationalbudgetslightlyincreasedasashareofGDPduring theCovidcrisis,reflectingeffortstosupportemployment:
• 2020: 4,1 (0,17%ofGDP,GDP= 2400).
• 2021: 4,1 (0,16%ofGDP,GDP= 2600).
• 2022: 4,45 (0,16%ofGDP,GDP= 2800).
• 2023: 4,68 (0,16%ofGDP,GDP= 2950).
• 2024: 4,9 (0,16%ofGDP,GDP= 3050).
TheGDPshareremainsstablearound0,16-0,17%,withaslightincreasein2020 duetotheCovidcrisis.Thebudgetincreasein2022-2024islinkedtoinflation andprogramsliketheBacktoWorkPlan.ThisfollowsasimilartrendtoFrance, withadeclineinGDPsharebetween2020and2021.
4.1GeneralOverview
TheEmploymentandTrainingAdministration(ETA),undertheDepartmentof Labor(DOL),managestrainingprogramsandunemploymentinsuranceinthe UnitedStates.Itstotalbudgetfor2024isestimatedatapproximately 70,ofwhich 5,1 isforoperationalexpenses,inadecentralizedsystemwherestatesplayakey role.
4.2BreakdownoftheOperationalBudget
• Salaries: 0,765 to 1,02 (15-20%),forapproximately17,000agents,withanaveragenetsalaryof 4550month (nationalmediansalary: 3500month,BLS2024; averageunemploymentrate2024:3,8%,BLS).
• Training: 1,02 to 1,275 (20-25%),fortheWorkforceInnovationandOpportunity Act(WIOA).Nationaleducationbudget2024: 1100 (4,5%ofGDP,GDP= 24500, source:BLS,federalbudget).
• Operations: 0,51 to 0,765 (10-15%),forfederaladministration.
• Others: 0,51 to 0,765 (10-15%),forpartnershipsandmiscellaneousexpenses.
Intermsofbudgetallocation,trainingisprioritized,followedbysalaries.The averagenetmonthlysalaryis 1920 higherthaninFrance.Thenumberofagents issignificantlylowercomparedtoothercountries.Thisdemonstratesefficiency intheresourcesemployedbytheUnitedStatesforemployment.
4.3EvolutionoftheOperationalBudget(2020-2024)
• 2020: 5,5 (16,09inhabitant).
• 2021: 5,0 (14,63inhabitant).
• 2022: 4,55 (13,31inhabitant).
• 2023: 5,0 (14,63inhabitant).
• 2024: 5,1 (14,92inhabitant).
Theoperationalbudgetdecreasedfrom 5,5 to 5,1 between2020and2024.The decreaseoccurredpost-crisis,droppingfrom 14,63inhabitant to 13,31inhabitant. TheUnitedStates’policychoicesdiffersignificantlyfromothercountries.
4.4EvolutionoftheOperationalBudgetRelativetoGDP(20202024)
TheETA’soperationalbudgetrepresentsaminimalshareofU.S.GDP,withanotabledecreasein2021-2022duetotheendofCovidemergencymeasures:
• 2020: 5,5 (0,029%ofGDP,GDP= 19000).
• 2021: 5,0 (0,024%ofGDP,GDP= 20500).
• 2022: 4,55 (0,021%ofGDP,GDP= 22000).
• 2023: 5,0 (0,021%ofGDP,GDP= 23500).
• 2024: 5,1 (0,021%ofGDP,GDP= 24500).
TheGDPsharedecreasedafter2020,reflectingdecentralizationandreducedfederalfundingpost-Covid.Theslightincreasein2024isduetoinflation.Despite asignificantlylowerGDPsharecomparedtoothercountries(2.4,3.4,5.4,6.4), employmentoutcomesdiffermarkedly.
5.1GeneralOverview
TheBundesagenturfürArbeit(BA)isGermany’sfederalemploymentagency, responsibleforunemploymentinsuranceandtrainingprograms.Itstotalbudgetfor2024isestimatedatapproximately 50,ofwhich 6,0 isforoperational expenses,fundedbyunemploymentinsurancecontributionsandfederalsubsidies.
5.2BreakdownoftheOperationalBudget
• Salaries: 1,8 to 2,1 (30-35%),forapproximately100,000agents,withanaveragenetsalaryof 3174month (nationalmediansalary: 2600month,Destatis2024; averageunemploymentrate2024:3,4%,Destatis).
• Training: 1,5 to 1,8 (25-30%),forprogramsliketheQualifizierungOffensive. Nationaleducationbudget2024: 180(4,3%ofGDP,GDP=4200,source:Destatis).
• Operations: 1,2 to 1,5 (20-25%),foragenciesanddigitalsystems.
• Others: 0,6 to 0,9 (10-15%),forpartnershipsandcommunication.
Intermsofbudgetallocation,salariesareprioritizedwith100,000agents,followedbytrainingasthesecond-largestexpenseintheoperationalbudget.
5.3EvolutionoftheOperationalBudget(2020-2024)
• 2020: 5,5 (65,95inhabitant).
• 2021: 5,5 (65,95inhabitant).
• 2022: 5,7 (68,35inhabitant).
• 2023: 5,8 (69,54inhabitant).
• 2024: 6,0 (71,94inhabitant).
Theoperationalbudgetincreasedfrom 5,5 to 6,0 between2020and2024.Theincreaseoccurredgraduallypost-crisis,risingfrom68,35inhabitantto71,94inhabitant. GermanyallocatesmoreresourcestoemploymentthanFrance,butexpendituresarecontrolled,asseeninbudgetmovements.Thelargestincreaseis 2,4 comparedto 4,39 forFrance(2.3).Yearafteryear,theagencymanagesexpenses precisely.
5.4EvolutionoftheOperationalBudgetRelativetoGDP(20202024)
TheBA’soperationalbudgethasremainedstableasashareofGDP,withaslight increasein2020duetotheCovidcrisis:
• 2020: 5,5 (0,16%ofGDP,GDP= 3400).
• 2021: 5,5 (0,15%ofGDP,GDP= 3600).
• 2022: 5,7 (0,15%ofGDP,GDP= 3850).
• 2023: 5,8 (0,14%ofGDP,GDP= 4050).
• 2024: 6,0 (0,14%ofGDP,GDP= 4200).
Thestability(0,14-0,16%)demonstratesresilienceinoperationalspendingdespitetheeconomiccontractionin2020.Theslightincreasein2024reflectsinvestmentsintraining.However,thereisadecreaseintheGDPshare,saving0,02 percentagepointsbetween2020and2024.
6.1GeneralOverview
TheServicioPúblicodeEmpleoEstatal(SEPE)managesunemploymentinsuranceandemploymentservicesinSpain,incollaborationwithautonomousregions.Itstotalbudgetfor2024isestimatedatapproximately 20,ofwhich 3,0 is foroperationalexpenses,fundedbysocialcontributionsandtheState.
6.2BreakdownoftheOperationalBudget
• Salaries: 0,75 to 0,9 (25-30%),forapproximately20,000agents,withanaverage netsalaryof 2100month (nationalmediansalary: 1800month,INE2024;average unemploymentrate2024:11,3%,INE).
• Training: 0,9 to 1,05 (30-35%),fortrainingandinsertionprograms.National educationbudget2024: 60 (4,1%ofGDP,GDP= 1450,source:INE,Ministerio deEducación).
• Operations: 0,6 to 0,75 (20-25%),foragenciesanddigitaltools.
• Others: 0,3 to 0,45 (10-15%),forpartnershipsandmiscellaneousexpenses.
Intermsofbudgetallocation,trainingisprioritized(30-35%).Salariesaresignificantlylowerthantheaverageacrossthestudiedcountries(2100month comparedto 4550month fortheUSA,4.2).
6.3EvolutionoftheOperationalBudget(2020-2024)
• 2020: 2,8 (59,07inhabitant).
• 2021: 2,7 (56,96inhabitant).
• 2022: 2,8 (59,07inhabitant).
• 2023: 2,9 (61,18inhabitant).
• 2024: 3,0 (63,29inhabitant).
Theoperationalbudgetsawaslightincreaseof 0,2 between2020and2024.The increaseoccurredgraduallypost-crisis,risingfrom59,07inhabitantto63,29inhabitant. Thebudgetappearswell-controlledinvalue.
6.4EvolutionoftheOperationalBudgetRelativetoGDP(20202024)
TheSEPE’soperationalbudgetslightlyincreasedasashareofGDPin2020in responsetotheCovidcrisis:
• 2020: 2,8 (0,25%ofGDP,GDP= 1100).
• 2021: 2,7 (0,23%ofGDP,GDP= 1200).
• 2022: 2,8 (0,22%ofGDP,GDP= 1300).
• 2023: 2,9 (0,21%ofGDP,GDP= 1400).
• 2024: 3,0 (0,21%ofGDP,GDP= 1450).
TheGDPsharedecreasedafter2020,reflectingeconomicrecoveryandarelative reductioninoperationalspendingpost-crisis.Theincreasein2024islinkedto inflationandlabormarketreforms.TheSpanishemploymentservice’sbudget iswell-managed.
7ComparisonofBudgets(2024)
Table1:ComparisonofOperationalBudgetsin 2024
Salaries(B€) 1,26-1,681,47-1,960,765-1,021,8-2,10,75-0,9 SalariesperCapita(€) 18,42-24,5621,75-29,002,24-2,9821,58-25,1815,82-18,99 Training(%) 30-40 20-30 20-25 25-30 30-35
Training(B€) 1,26-1,680,98-1,471,02-1,2751,5-1,80,9-1,05
TrainingperCapita(€) 18,42-24,5614,50-21,752,98-3,7317,99-21,5818,99-22,15
OperationsperCapita(€) 12,28-15,3514,50-18,121,49-2,2414,39-17,9912,66-15,82
Others(%) 5-10 5-10 10-15 10-15 10-15
Others(B€) 0,21-0,420,245-0,490,51-0,7650,6-0,90,3-0,45
OthersperCapita(€) 3,07-6,143,62-7,251,49-2,247,19-10,796,33-9,49
8.1CommentaryontheEvolution
Over1year(2023-2024):Between2023and2024,operationalbudgetsincreased inallcountries,reflectingtheimpactofinflationandinvestmentsindigitalizationandemploymentprograms.Franceshowsanincreaseof 0,2 (+5%),the UnitedKingdom 0,22 (+4,7%),theUnitedStates 0,1 (+2%),Germany 0,2 (+3,4%), andSpain 0,1 (+3,4%).Theseincreasesaremoderate,buttheUnitedKingdom andGermanystandoutwithhighpercapitabudgets(72,49 and 71,94,respectively,in2024).
Overtheentireperiod(2020-2024):From2020to2024,budgetsgenerallyincreased,exceptintheUnitedStates,whichsawatemporarydecreasein2022 (4,55)duetotheendofpost-Covidemergencyprograms.Germanyshowsthe strongestgrowth(+9,1%,from 5,5 to 6,0),followedbytheUnitedKingdom(+19,5 %,from 4,1 to 4,9),France(+20%,from 3,5 to 4,2),Spain(+7,1%,from 2,8 to 3,0), andtheUnitedStates(-7,3%,from 5,5 to 5,1).Thedifferencesreflectnational priorities,withstrongcentralizationinGermanyandtheUnitedKingdom,and decentralizedsystemsintheUnitedStatesandSpain.
RegardingFrancecomparedtoitscounterparts:Contrarytoexpectations, Franceisslightlybelowtheaverageofthestudiedcountriesintermsofoperationalbudget(4,2 vs. 4,6).However,intermsoftraining,FranceTravailallocates ahigherpercentagethanitscounterparts.Thisislessvalued,asitrankssecond toGermanyinvalue(atthehighend, 1,68 vs. 1,8).Operationalexpensesaresimilartoothercountries.Thenumberofagentsperinhabitantisthethirdhighest aftertheUnitedKingdomandGermany(731vs.1183and1199).
Figure1:
9Conclusion
Ouranalysisrevealedsignificantdisparitiesintheoperationalbudgetsofemploymentagencies.GermanyandtheUnitedKingdomallocatethehighestper capitabudgets(71,94 and 72,49 in2024),reflectingcentralizedsystemsandhigh agentdensity(1199and1183permillioninhabitants).FranceandSpainhave comparablepercapitabudgets(61,40 and 63,29),whiletheUnitedStateshasa muchlowerpercapitabudget(14,92)duetoitslargepopulationanddecentralizedsystem.Averagenetsalariesvarysignificantly,withtheUnitedStatesleading(4550month)andSpainatthebottom(2100month).Over2020-2024,budgets generallyincreased,drivenbyinflationandinvestmentsintraininganddigitalization,althoughtheUnitedStatesexperiencedatemporarypost-Coviddecline. TheGDPanalysisshowsthatoperationalbudgetsremainstableasashareof GDP,withincreasesin2020toaddresstheCovidcrisis.
GermanyandSpainprioritizedbudgetmanagement,whileFranceadopteda centralizedbudgetapproach.However,theUnitedStatesstandsout,asdespite alargerpopulation,itprioritizedmaximumefficiencyinitsmodel.
ToenhanceFranceTravail’sefficiency,thedecentralizationmodelimplemented bytheUnitedStatesappearstobeaneffectivewaytoallocateresourcesmore precisely.Additionally,linkingeducationoutcomeswithtrainingwouldraise awarenessoftheissuesearlyinthesystemandadaptinitialtrainingtoavoid penaltiesduetotrainingdeficiencies.Educationandtrainingmustbealignedto achievethebestlabormarketoutcomes.
ComparisonofEmploymentAgencies:France,UK,USA,Germany,Spain
10Limitations
• Theoperationalandtotalbudgetsfor2024areestimatesduetothelackof comprehensiveofficialreports.
• Structuraldifferences(centralizationinFrance,UK,Germanyvs.decentralizationintheUSA,Spain)complicatedirectcomparisons.
• Salaryandagentnumberdataarebasedonnationalaveragesandmayvary byregionorrole.
• Populationsusedare:France(68,4M),UnitedKingdom(67,6M),UnitedStates (341,8M),Germany(83,4M),Spain(47,4M).
• Exchangerates(1GBP=1,17EUR,1USD=0,91EUR,2024averages)mayintroducevariationsinconversions.
• GDPandeducationbudgetestimatesarebasedoninternationalsourcesand mayvaryslightlydependingonmethodologies.
• Efficiencymeasures,particularlyregardingemploymentandunemployment rates,werenotexamined.
ComparisonofEmploymentAgencies:France,UK,USA,Germany,Spain
11Sources
• Béduneau,L.(2025).ReportNo.2025-001.ComparisonofEmploymentAgency Budgets:France,UnitedKingdom,UnitedStates,Germany,Spain.Availableat: https://issuu.com/louisbeduneau/docs/france_travail_co_te_t-il_ trop_cher_.
• FranceTravail:PôleEmploiannualreports(2020-2023),Insee(mediansalaries, unemploymentrates,GDP,educationbudget,2023-2024),governmentannouncementsonFranceTravail,PFL2024.
• JobcentrePlus(UnitedKingdom):DepartmentforWorkandPensionsreports (2020-2024),OfficeforNationalStatistics(mediansalaries,unemploymentrates, GDP,educationbudget,2024),SpringBudget2024.
• ETA(UnitedStates):DepartmentofLaborreports(2020-2024),BureauofLabor Statistics(mediansalaries,unemploymentrates,GDP,educationbudget,2024), federalbudget2023-2024.
• BundesagenturfürArbeit(Germany):BAannualreports(2020-2023),Eurostat (salaries,GDP,2023),Destatis(mediansalaries,unemploymentrates,GDP,educationbudget,2024),estimatesbasedonGermaninflation.
• SEPE(Spain):MinisteriodeTrabajoyEconomíaSocialreports(2020-2023),InstitutoNacionaldeEstadística(population,mediansalaries,unemployment rates,GDP,2023),MinisteriodeEducación(educationbudget,2024),estimates for2024.
• GDP:WorldBank,IMF(estimates2020-2024),Insee,ONS,BLS,Destatis,INE.
ComparisonofEmploymentAgencies:France,UK,USA,Germany,Spain
12Annexes
12.1BudgetEvolutionTable(2020-2024)
Table2:EvolutionofOperationalBudgets(20202024)
