Answer
Yes, the number of unemployed people in France increased during Mauroy's term as Prime Minister, rising from 1.8 million in 1981 to 2.6 million in 1984. This increase was largely due to the global economic recession of the early 1980s, combined with Mauroy's expansionary economic policies, which sought to stimulate economic growth through increased public spending and investment but resulted in higher budget deficits and inflation.