Local jobless rate highest for a decade

By the end of 2011, unemployment in PACA had stabilised at 11.2 per cent - a whole one per cent higher than the national average in France. Young people are feeling the pinch of a regressing job market but interestingly, more and more over 50s are out of jobs and looking for employment. In 2011 alone, the rate of over 50s actively seeking work soared by 17 per cent.

The number of people living off social welfare allowances has also seen a surge with a colossal 381,000 PACA residents relying on the financial support system. Nationally, 6.1 per cent of France uses the welfare system but in PACA the number is more like 7.7 per cent.

Real estate is taking a beating as people lose confidence in the stability of the market. In 2011, only 13,500 homes were sold -  a decrease of almost 10 per cent on the previous year.

However, statistics group INSEE could report some good news. The region's biggest industry - tourism - has recorded positive statistics for the second year running. More people are staying in hotels as international tourists continue to show an interest in the Riviera, and while the coastline remains a firm favourite, many people are taking to the hills and other rural destinations on offer in the region.

Elsa Carpenter