Business · Economy · 14 hrs ago
Nearly a quarter of engineers in France could reach retirement age within 15 years
France has just over one million engineers in work, and nearly a quarter will reach retirement age in the next 10 to 15 years.
The share is 24% in industry, which employs the most engineers, and 39% in telecommunications.
About 50,000 people graduated as engineers last year, but a report cited in the survey says twice as many would be needed each year to meet needs including the revival of industry.
At the same time, recent graduates are choosing other service industries, energy and engineering and consulting firms more often than industry.
Engineers in mid-career generally have low unemployment, but 10.3% of young engineers were unemployed last year, nearly twice the rate two years earlier.
The survey says economic slowdown and fewer job openings are contributing factors, while any effect from artificial intelligence has not been established.
It also found a gender pay gap: women engineers’ median monthly net pay was €3,840, compared with €4,910 for men.
Nearly a quarter of engineers in France are expected to reach retirement age within the next 10 to 15 years, according to a survey by IESF.
The figure is 24% of engineers in industry and 39% in telecommunications.
France has just over one million engineers currently working.
About 50,000 new engineers graduated last year, but a report by the Institut Montaigne says twice as many would be needed each year to meet needs including reindustrialisation.
- Who
- Engineers in France, according to a survey by the Society of Engineers and Scientists of France (IESF).
- What
- Nearly a quarter are expected to reach retirement age within 10 to 15 years.
- When
- The survey was reported on 11 October 2026; the expected retirement period is the next 10 to 15 years.
- Where
- France, including industry and telecommunications.
- Why
- Many engineers are expected to reach retirement age, while the number of new graduates is not enough to meet needs including reindustrialisation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Engineers currently working
- Just over 1 million
- Expected to reach retirement age
- Nearly a quarter within 10 to 15 years
- Industry
- 24% of engineers expected to reach retirement age
- Telecommunications
- 39% of engineers expected to reach retirement age
- New engineering graduates
- 50,000 last year
Sources
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