The household confidence index dropped three points in France in May 2025, compared to the previous month, continuing a trend since the start of the year, new data from Insee has found.
In April 2025, the index, which summarises household sentiment in France, stood at 91, while in March it was also at 91, and in February at 93. Household confidence last fell as low as 88 in December of last year.
Financial situation
According to Insee, households’ views about their personal financial situation worsened in May, with sentiment about past financial conditions falling by four points, while expectations about future personal finances dropped three points.
Fewer French households believe it’s a good time to make major purchases, the data showed, with this sentiment index dropping four points from its long-term average.
When it comes to the saving capacity of French households, indices related to both current and future ability to save dropped one point each, however both remain well above their long-term averages.
The proportion of households thinking it is a good time to save has stayed stable, Insee added.
Unemployment concerns
Concerns about unemployment have risen significantly, by nine points, which is the highest level since May 2015, notwithstanding the COVID-19 period.
This is ‘well above’ the long-term average, Insee noted.
‘In May 2025, households’ opinion on future standard of living in France has fallen sharply again: the associated balance has dropped by five points to its lowest level since April 2023,’ it added.
The survey includes responses from about 2,000 households collected by telephone between 25 April and 15 May. Read more here.
Read more: More than one in eight in France are materially or socially deprived
