Construction of railway equipment A fragile sector in France despite foreign orders

France is the second-largest European railway manufacturer, with 29 companies specialised in this sector. However, its turnover remained broadly stable between 2009 and 2015, while it is increasing in the European Union. The dynamism of exports compensates for contracting domestic demand. Jobs are mainly industrial in nature, with a high proportion of managerial staff and engineers and relatively high wages. In 2015, half of jobs are concentrated in the employment areas around Valenciennes, Paris and La Rochelle. Despite a significant improvement, the economic performances of companies in the sector in France remain below that of manufacturing industry; employment is decreasing more rapidly (–10% in six years), especially non-industrial jobs.