For the past twenty years, the way young people under the age of 25 are recruited in the labour market is getting worse. This is the main conclusion of a study carried out by the French Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE). The authors claim that the category of young workers is the most affected by the increase of fixed-term contracts.

Almost 1 million French workers were affected by this type of contract versus 320,000 in 1982. Over a ten-year period, ie. between the beginning and the end of the 80s, the number of temporary work agencies has doubled. In 2002, more than 2.5 million workers were employed in a part-time capacity, in jobs where the employers had received financial help from the state in the form of fiscal advantages. The aim of this procedure is to alleviate recruitment fees. The study has shown that, contrary to public opinion, a contract of apprenticeship does not automatically lead to a permanent position.  Out of six young apprentices in 2001, only one was given an unlimited contract.