French consumer confidence hits a 2013 low in October amid protests 

French Consumer Confidence Drops to 2013 Low Amid Economic Protests

Overview of Consumer Sentiment and Economic Impact

Oct 27 (Reuters) - French consumer confidence fell by 5 points to 80 in October, its lowest level since June 2013, amid widespread protests in the country, official statistics agency INSEE said on Tuesday.

Background: Protests and Economic Policies

France is being hit by a wave of protests, which began with small student demonstrations in suburban Paris in September to denounce school conditions and swiftly broadened into a wider protest against the government's economic policies.

Economist Expectations vs. Actual Confidence

• Economists surveyed by Reuters had expected confidence to be 85, the same as the revised September number

Long-Term Consumer Confidence Trends

• The consumer confidence is well below a long-term average of 100 between January 1987 and December 2025

Key Drivers Behind Confidence Drop

Perceptions of Inflation

• The proportion of consumers who believe that prices have risen sharply over the past 12 months has risen by 8 points, having already gained 6 in September

Household Financial Sentiment

Past and Future Financial Situations

• Households’ sentiment toward their past and future personal financial situations has dropped by 9 and 6 points, respectively

Unemployment Fears

• Fears over the trend in unemployment are on the rise again, up by 5 points following a fall in September

Savings Sentiment

• The proportion of households considering this a good time to make savings has fallen by 6 points; views on their current ability to save remain stable

(Reporting by Mathias de Rozario in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)