The human services market - France

The personal services market encompasses a range of services designed to assist individuals in their daily lives. Defined by Decree 2016-750 of June 6, 2016 (article D.7231-1 of the French Labor Code), these activities include assistance for the elderly or disabled, home maintenance, educational support, and more specialized services such as gardening. This sector represents an essential part of the French economy, benefiting from constantly evolving demand. In 2023, the French personal services market will benefit from a favorable regulatory environment, with key reforms such as theincrease in the ceilings for the personalized autonomy allowance (APA) and the disability compensation benefit (PCH), as well as the generalization of the immediate tax credit. These measures are designed to simplify access to formal services and stimulate structured demand, while enhancing the attractiveness of the sector for professionals. At the same time, the development of micro-crèches, the majority of which are private (92%), is an essential lever in meeting families' needs, with over 82,700 families using these structures by the end of 2023. The demographic environment also continues to play a decisive role in the development of this market. In 2023, the proportion of the population aged 65 and over reached 21. 3%, a figure that is projected to rise to 26% by 2070. This aging of the population, combined with the growing desire of seniors to age at home, is driving up demand for adapted services, such as home help or assistance with daily tasks. At the same time, the coverage rate for childcare needs for children under 3 has reached 60.3 places per 100 children, a significant improvement on previous years, although territorial disparities persist. In 2024, despite this progress, the sector still faces major structural challenges. The human services professions are among the hardest hit by retirements, with an estimated 207,000 departures for home helps and housekeepers, and 138,000 for childminders by 2030. This insufficient renewal of the workforce can be explained by working conditions deemed unattractive, perceived arduousness and a lack of recognition. In addition, employers are having difficulty recruiting due to an insufficient number of applicants (85%) and unsuitable profiles (76%), as a recent study shows. However, the market is benefiting from an encouraging economic and social dynamic. With overall sales on the rise and growth among private players (+30% for private reception facilities between 2019 and 2023), the outlook is promising. The introduction of innovative models, such as digital platforms facilitating contact between providers and customers, as well as the increased digitization of services, is also helping to structure the sector and meet users' new expectations. In short, the personal services market in France, buoyed by recent reforms and growing needs linked to an aging population, is asserting itself as a strategic pillar of the national economy. Despite regional disparities and recruitment tensions, the favorable regulatory environment and opportunities arising from innovation point to a future marked by consolidation and modernization of the offering.