Professions and their territories

Industrial history, the growth of cities and migrations have all fashioned the geography of professions. For instance, industrial workers are overrepresented in the northern and western parts of France, except in Île-de-France. In the Mediterranean regions the range of professions reflects the weight of the residential economy, with, for example, a higher proportion of building workers and certain trade and healthcare professions. Île-de-France occupies a unique position, as certain managerial professions are highly prominent in the region. More broadly, managerial jobs are concentrated in very large urban areas while blue-collar workers are overrepresented in smaller urban areas or isolated municipalities. Managers and civil servants change region within five years more often than other employed persons.