With high inflation and unabated price increases, the French have to tighten their belts.
To “
live decently
”, they would need an additional 476 euros per month, according to a Cofidis and CSA Research study.
Seven out of ten people recognize that the current economic situation has affected them economically.
To preserve their wallet, more than three-quarters of French people thus plan to maintain their arbitrations in terms of consumption, already initiated in 2022. Some have changed their habits by lowering the thermostat of their heating or reducing the use of their car.
Others are also looking for low prices or promotions (59%), almost a third choose short circuits and 24% favor second-hand purchases.
Thanks to these techniques, they generally manage to better control their budget.
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This is why the amount to live decently is down slightly from one year to the next, to 490 euros in 2022 against 476 euros in 2023
. the figures show that the trend is to maintain the consumer arbitrations initiated in 2022. A situation which testifies to the fear and caution of the French in the face of a somewhat uncertain future”, underlines Mathieu Escarpit, marketing
director at Cofidis.
For the next twelve months, food will be the priority expense for all respondents, ahead of energy (water and electricity at 49%) and health (at 36%).
“
Also, after three consecutive difficult years for the French and for some major restrictions, consumer credit offers them more freedom in the management of their budget
”, underlines the study.
This is why more than 40% of them have taken out a loan: 19% have a personal loan, 12% a loan allocated to a particular project or 10% have a revolving loan.