After the summer period, consumer confidence in France is again weighed down. According to INSEE, this index fell by three points compared to August (82) and returned to its July level, well below its long-term average which is 100. Before July, the indicator n had not reached such depths since June 2013.
French households are particularly pessimistic about the evolution of their personal financial situation, the corresponding balance deteriorating by six points compared to August. In addition, INSEE also notes a “clear increase” in their fears concerning the evolution of unemployment (+ 11 points compared to the previous month).
In a context where employment is doing relatively well in France (unemployment rate of 7.4% in the second quarter according to INSEE), fears related to unemployment remain “at a low level” compared to their average of long period.
In addition, the anxiety of inflation remains very present since “the share of households believing that prices will accelerate over the next twelve months is rebounding” and “the corresponding balance gains ten points”, details INSEE. In August, the one-year inflation rate reached 5.9%, and INSEE is due to publish a first estimate for the month of September on Friday.