The image above shows data extracted from two publications relating to the same period.
At the top is the salaried employment situation in La Réunion Island at the end of Q2 2024, according to the publication “INSEE conjoncture La Réunion n°34” presented on October 4, 2024 at INSEE.
Below are the official unemployment statistics at the end of the 2nd quarter 2024, according to France Travail. 293,000 people were receiving a salary in La Réunion Island at the end of June 2024, including 202,400 in the private sector, 91,500 in the public sector. From April to June 2024 on average, 173,780 workers were registered as jobseekers with France Travail, including more than 122,000 who declared no salaried activity.
It should be noted that the number of jobseekers on La Reunion Island is slightly higher than the sum of the numbers of employees in agriculture, industry, construction and the commercial service sector: 173,780 versus 168,500, and almost twice as high as the number of employees in the public sector.
These data serve as a reminder of La Réunion’s unusual situation, due in particular to a lack of jobs.
“INSEE conjoncture La Réunion n°34” indicates that job creation is slowing down. For the first time since the COVID crisis, there was no increase in the number of jobs created in the three months from April to June. Job creations are offset by job losses. INSEE noted a 51% increase in the number of business failures between July 2023 and June 2024, with 1,020 companies declaring bankruptcy.
On La Reunion Island, the number of jobseekers is equivalent to 60% of all employees, including 88% in the private sector and 194% in the public sector. This situation is unparalleled throughout the French Republic. This calls for exceptional and specific measures if we are ever to return to full employment on La Reunion Island.

M.M.