Left Behind: The Local Effects of Deindustrialization in France

January 2026, Paper: "This paper studies the long-run local consequences of deindustrialization in France. Using harmonized municipal census data from 1968 to 2016, we show that mu nicipalities experiencing larger declines in manufacturing employment faced per sistently higher unemployment, lower incomes, slower population growth, and greater social isolation. Deindustrialization also reduced civic participation, low ering voter turnout and support for European integration while increasing the vote share of the far-right. We further show that these areas differ markedly in contemporary community life: municipalities more exposed to manufacturing decline today host fewer local amenities—such as shops, health facilities, and cultural venues—and generate fewer grassroots civic organizations. Together, the results document how the retreat of manufacturing reshaped not only local economies but also the social and civic fabric of French communities."