French consumer confidence fell by five points to 80 in October, its lowest level since June 2013, amid widespread protests in the country, official statistics agency INSEE said on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

Source: Reuters / INSEE

Economists surveyed by Reuters had expected a reading of 85, the same as the revised September number. The index remains well below its long-term average of 100, calculated between January 1987 and December 2025.

Households turned more pessimistic across most measures. Sentiment about past personal finances dropped by nine points and about future finances by six points, INSEE said. The share of consumers who believe prices have risen sharply over the past 12 months rose by eight points, after already gaining six points in September.

Fears about unemployment rose again, up five points after a fall in September, while the share of households considering it a good time to save fell by six points. Views on households' current ability to save were stable, INSEE said.

France has been hit by a wave of protests that began with small student demonstrations in suburban Paris in September over school conditions and broadened into a wider protest against the government's economic policies, Reuters reported. The confidence slump adds to pressure on the government as it faces fiscal uncertainty and social unrest.

Source: TradingView / INSEE data