Households do not like the uncertainty caused by the social movement since December. Until then their outlook was very optimistic. They are less so, but do not show any break.

French households are concerned about the state of the economy and society. The confidence index calculated by INSEE fell from 105 in November to 102 in December. The figure remains above its historic average at 100.

Until November, the French had the perception of a continuous improvement of the economy since the low point of the end of 2018. What is particular in the present case is that in the past, big social movements generally observed after a sharp drop in the confidence index. This was not the case in December 2019.
The French remain rather optimistic but they wonder about the future of pensions and the immediate consequences of the social movement. The upward trends in employment or in living standards are changing direction.

In order to maintain a robust framework for the business cycle, a solution must be found so that the French economy can continue to function effectively. Until now, the French growth momentum has been a little more robust than that of its European partners. It is due to the economic policy that supports of the domestic demand dynamics.. This helps cushion any external shocks resulting from the contraction in world trade.
If the social crisis continues, there is no doubt that the domestic demand momentum will become lower and the French economy more dependent on global fluctuations. Given international uncertainties, especially since the start of the year, there is no doubt that this would translate into an additional inflection of this confidence indicator and a postponement of consumer spending out of prudence in the face of the environment.

The President Macron commitments on local taxes and the redistribution effects resulting from the social movement of the yellow vests had both boosted purchasing power and relaxed concerns on the labor market.
The number of new salaried jobs since the start of the year has been considerable. 196,000 salaried jobs were created during the first 3 quarters of 2019 compared to 97,000 over the same period in 2018. This perception of the French economy translated into a strong optimism concerning, in particular for each one, his personal situation in the future. The indicator tracing this perception was, in September and November, the highest since July 2007.

The figures for the month of December on the perception of the future temper this optimism but without causing a sudden break. The indicators presented opposite remain close to the historical average of each of them.

We observe the same pace on the perception of the labor market but with a level well above its long-term average. This reflects the progress made on job creations.