Paris - The number of unemployed in France rose to 2.2 million in the fourth quarter 2008 on a seasonally adjusted basis, the French statistics office INSEE reported on Thursday in Paris.

On a unadjusted basis, the number of out of work rose to 2.8 million.

The new figures represent a quarterly rise in employment of 0.6 per cent for a total of 7.8 per cent, and a 0.3-per-cent rise year- on-year.

Overall unemployment including France's overseas territories was at 8.2 per cent. (dpa)