French consumer confidence cratered to its lowest level in 13 years as a bond market selloff that sent yields soaring, weeks of social unrest sparked by far-left groups, and political instability all collided at once, casting a dark economic cloud over the European country.
New national sport in France: looting. https://t.co/dTywW4gJuK
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) October 24, 2026
Statistics agency Insee reported that its monthly consumer confidence gauge plunged five points this month, falling well below forecasts compiled by Bloomberg. This was the lowest reading since June 2013, in the aftermath of the eurozone debt crisis.
Households' assessments of past living standards fell to their lowest since records began in 1972, while unemployment expectations hit their highest since the Covid-19 pandemic. Respondents also said their financial outlook was the bleakest in four years, and inflation expectations rose.
"The miss was broad-based: the personal financial situation outlook fell sharply to -24 from -15, unemployment concerns jumped to 61 from 56, and savings capacity deteriorated," UBS
