PARIS Reuters -- French consumer confidence fell more than expected in June, hitting a near nine-year low due to concerns about the economic outlook in the face of high inflation and political uncertainty, a survey showed on Tuesday.
The consumer confidence index fell to 82 in June from 85 in May and the lowest level since July 2013, according to the official statistics agency of the INSEE.
A Reuters poll of 14 economists had an average forecast of 84 with the lowest estimate for 83.
The concerns of future inflation remained well above the long-term average, but they eased in June for the third month in a row.
In the second month of France's first and most strict COVID 19 lockdown, household sentiment about the general economic outlook continued to worsen as it fell to the lowest level since May 2020.
France's political situation has added to uncertainty about the economic outlook after President Emmanuel Macron lost his majority in legislative elections this month, while surging inflation has stressed households in recent months.