Household confidence in France fell five points to 80 in October 2026, its weakest reading since June 2013, according to the monthly survey released on Tuesday, 27 October, by national statistics institute INSEE. September’s index was revised down to 85 from an initial 86.
The indicator is far below its long-term average of 100, reflecting worsening views of personal finances, living standards in France and labour-market prospects. It measures household sentiment rather than actual spending or the observed rate of price increases.
Major purchases look less attractive
Expectations for personal finances deteriorated sharply. The balance of opinion on households’ future financial situation fell from -15 in September to -24 in October, a nine-point decline. The balance for their past financial situation slipped six points, from -26 to -32.
The caution also appears in spending intentions. The balance measuring whether this is a good time to make major purchases, including durable goods, declined from -37 to -41 points. The figures show growing reluctance in respondents’ stated plans, not a measured drop in retailers’ sales.
Households became more pessimistic about the wider economy. The balance for future living standards in France fell six points to -67. The reading for past living standards reached -85, down from -82 in September and the lowest since the survey began in October 1972. Concern about unemployment prospects rose by five points.
Price perceptions and saving
Perceptions of price increases strengthened. The balance reflecting price rises noticed over the previous 12 months rose from 34 to 42, an eight-point gain. This records respondents’ opinions and does not mean that the official inflation rate rose by eight percentage points.
The separate savings climate index dropped from 120 to 118 but remained above its long-term average. Households’ assessment of their current ability to save held steady, while expectations for future saving capacity and whether it was a good time to save both weakened.
About 2,000 households were interviewed by telephone between 25 September and 19 October. The findings describe views in that survey window, without independently establishing a causal link with political or social events. INSEE is due to release its next survey on 25 November 2026.