The Reunion economy continued its recovery in the 4th quarter of 2020, according to INSEE, having escaped the second confinement established in mainland France. Throughout the year, salaried employment increased by 2%, i.e. a net creation of 5,300 jobs (-1,1% nationally). Job creation in the second half of the year offset job losses following confinement from March 17 to May 10. The private sector, which creates 4,700 jobs in one year (+2,6%), is the main driver of this growth. In the public sector, 700 jobs are created, thanks in particular to subsidized jobs. Sectors most affected by the health crisis, transport and accommodation and catering each lose 200 jobs in 2020. Other sectors are more resilient, particularly services to households and businesses (+ 1,000 jobs each). Providing flexibility for businesses in uncertain times, temporary employment continues to grow (+ 400) and employment in construction remains particularly dynamic (+ 900). Fin 2020, 269,000 employees worked in Réunion, private and public sectors combined. In January 2021, adds INSEE, the volume of hours paid by Reunion companies was 3% higher than that observed a year earlier, while it fell by 7% at the national level.
