28 September 2016
2016- n° 253In September 2016, households' confidence is stable Monthly consumer confidence survey - September 2016
In September 2016, household confidence is stable: the synthetic confidence index stands at 97. It remains below its average calculated over the period 1987-2015 (100).
In September 2016, household confidence is stable: the synthetic confidence index stands at 97. It remains below its average calculated over the period 1987-2015 (100).
Personal situation
Past financial situation: virtually stable
In September, households' opinion of their personal financial situation in the past twelve months is virtually stable: the corresponding balance has lost 1 point and remains close to its long-term average. The balance of opinion on their personal financial situation in the next twelve months is stable for the fourth consecutive month, standing below its long-term average.
After a slight decrease in August, the share of households considering it has been a suitable time to make major purchases has recovered in September. The corresponding balance has gained 3 points and remains above its long-term average.
Current saving capacity: on the rise
In September, households' balance of opinion on their current saving capacity has gained 3 points and is thus slightly above its long-term average. The balance concerning their expected saving capacity is steady, slightly above its long-term average.
The share of households considering it has been a suitable time to save has bounced back a little in September (+2 points). However, the balance remains far below its long-term average.
graphiquegraph1_english – Consumer confidence synthetic index
tableauTab_eng – CONSUMER OPINION: synthetic index and opinion balances
2016 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Av. (1) | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | |
Synthetic index (2) | 100 | 97 | 96 | 97 | 97 |
Financial sit., past 12 m. | –21 | –23 | –28 | –22 | –23 |
Financial sit., next 12 m. | –5 | –10 | –10 | –10 | –10 |
Current saving capacity | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
Expected saving capacity | –9 | –9 | –11 | –10 | –7 |
Savings intentions, next 12 m. | 18 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
Major purchases intentions, next 12 m. | –15 | –11 | –8 | –10 | –7 |
Standard of living, past 12 m. | –45 | –53 | –52 | –53 | –55 |
Standard of living, next 12 m. | –25 | –32 | –31 | –34 | –31 |
Unemployment, next 12 m. | 35 | 21 | 26 | 33 | 30 |
Consumer prices, past 12 m. | –14 | –53 | –52 | –52 | –47 |
Consumer prices, next 12 m. | –34 | –36 | –38 | –37 | –35 |
- (1) Average value between January 1987 and December 2015
- (2) This indicator is normalised in such a way that its average equals 100 and standard error equals 10 over the estimation period (1987-2015).
- Source: INSEE, monthly consumer confidence survey
Economic situation in France
Standard of living in France: expectations rising
Households' opinion of the future standard of living in France has picked up in September: the corresponding balance has grown by 3 points, and is back to its level in July. The one on the past standard of living has dipped slightly (−2 points). Both balances remain below their long-term average.
graphiquegraph2_english – Balances on personal financial situation and standard of living in France
Unemployment: fears receding slightly
After increasing in July and August, households' fears concerning unemployment have receded a little in September. The corresponding balance has gone down by 3 points and stands below its long-term average.
graphiquechomage_en – Households' unemployment expectations
Perceived and expected inflation on the rise
In September, households are more numerous than in August to consider that prices increased during the past twelve months. The corresponding balance has gained 5 points and has reached its highest level since December 2014, albeit remaining largely below its long-term average. Likewise, households are more numerous to consider that prices are likely to increase during the next 12 months: the balance has grown by 2 points, and stands virtually at its long-term-average.