A new report from the French think tank Terra Nova warns that the country will need to recruit between 250,000 and 310,000 foreign workers each year by 2040 to meet growing labor market demands.

With an aging population and a shrinking pool of active workers, France finds itself increasingly reliant on immigration to maintain its economic output and essential services.

France’s growing dependence on foreign labor is less about policy preference and more about economic survival. In sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, construction, and cleaning services, employers are already struggling to fill vacancies with local workers.

In Paris and the surrounding Ile-de-France region, for instance, 61% of healthcare workers are foreign nationals, and 20% of doctors practicing in public hospitals received their medical training abroad. Similarly, the construction and agricultural sectors are grappling with persistent shortages in manual and seasonal labor, leaving key infrastructure and food supply chains vulnerable.

This demand is not limited to low-wage or manual roles. France is also seeking skilled workers in technology and engineering, offering attractive salaries and long-term opportunities to those willing to relocate.

To facilitate the influx of needed workers, France has developed multiple visa pathways designed to attract both skilled professionals and seasonal laborers.

Other sector-specific visas also exist, particularly for healthcare professionals, and are designed to streamline the entry process for critical workers.

According to a CSA poll from November 2024, 48% of French citizens support a zero-immigration policy a significant jump from 41% in 2021. Interestingly, 55% of men oppose such strict limits, while 53% of women support them. The issue also breaks sharply along political lines, with left-wing voters more welcoming of immigration and far-right voters strongly opposed.

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