French household confidence remained stable in August 2026, according to the latest INSEE survey. The composite indicator held steady at 86 points, the same as in July, after rising during the two preceding months. However, this level remains significantly below its long-term average of 100, confirming the persistence of a climate of distrust.
The French maintain a largely unchanged assessment of their personal financial situation. Their outlook on the future has improved slightly, while their perception of their past situation has declined by one point. However, fewer believe that now is a good time to make major purchases, an indicator that has fallen by two points and remains well below its historical average.
Fears about prices and unemployment are rising again
Behind the overall stability, households are more pessimistic about future living standards in France. Concerns about unemployment are also resurging, as are expectations of accelerating price increases over the next twelve months. These developments suggest that caution remains the prevailing sentiment despite the end of the downturn observed in the spring.
Savings are the main contrasting finding of this survey. Its climate indicator rose by one point to 125, well above its long-term average. This increase reflects a greater desire to preserve reserves rather than consume, which could limit the recovery of economic activity. In short, morale is no longer falling, but it remains persistently low and dominated by uncertainty.
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