National statistics vary widely due to the Covid-19 pandemic. French household consumption thus dropped by a third (33.7%) in April compared to that of February, before the health crisis. It fell 20.2% from March, according to data published this Friday by INSEE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies).
In April, the French were confined for the entire month due to the coronavirus pandemic, while confinement was not implemented until the second half of March.
Compared with April 2019, household consumption also fell by more than a third (34.1%) last month. "This is the second consecutive month registering a historic decline since the start of the series in 1980," says INSEE.
Household consumption of goods fell sharply again in April (–20.2%), a drop of 33.7%… https: //t.co/azYIviDT3L
- Insee (@InseeFr) May 29, 2020Consumption of manufactured goods fell most heavily, from 42.6% between March and April after 42.1% between February and March. Compared with April 2019, this consumption fell by two thirds (66.6%) last month. INSEE particularly highlights the huge drop in clothing purchases.
This table shows the vertiginous and historic fall suffered by French consumption. While it has posted monthly levels of between 45 billion euros and 48 billion for ten years, it plummets in March and April to approach 30 billion.
INSEE also notes that “housing equipment expenses fall, in particular the sales of furniture and household appliances. Glasses purchases are down sharply ”.
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Confined households took advantage of the drop in oil prices and their fewer trips to reduce their energy expenses: they fell 22.8% in one month and 33.2% in one year.
Food consumption, which jumped 9.2% over a month in March when the French stockpiled basic products at the start of containment, fell 5.4% in April. Over one year, however, it continues to register an increase last month, of 2.3%.
