# Decline in French purchasing power and inflation in 2026 > In late October 2026, analyses attribute the decline in household purchasing power to the rise in compulsory expenses and social and employer contributions, making it a central theme of the 2027 campaign. On October 30, Insee indicates that consumer prices would rise by 3.4% year-on-year in October 2026, driven by the acceleration of energy prices. On October 31, Insee Director General Fabrice Lenglart estimates that this crisis is not unprecedented, while French purchasing power is expected to decline for the second consecutive year in 2026. The same day, on the occasion of a new Saturday of mobilization against the high cost of living, the media take stock of this decline and its prospects. **In brief**: Ongoing story bringing together 4 events nationwide, followed from 28 October 2026 to 31 October 2026. 11 articles from 9 sources (economy); last updated on 31 October 2026 at 14:37. - Status: ongoing - Category: Economy - Place: Nationwide - First detected: 28 October 2026 at 10:35 - Updated: 31 October 2026 at 14:37 - Web page: https://acturadar.com/en/stories/201-decline-in-french-purchasing-power-and-inflation-in-2026 ## Coverage angles The media mainly cover inflation figures and the decline in purchasing power; the center focuses on Insee data and prospects, while the right emphasizes structural causes (compulsory expenses, contributions) and the issue's importance in the 2027 election campaign. **Common ground** - Inflation reaches 3.4% year-on-year in October 2026, after 3.1% in September, according to Insee - This is the highest level since January 2024 - The rise is driven by accelerating energy prices - French purchasing power declines for the second consecutive year in 2026 **Differences** - The right highlights social and employer contributions as a cause of eroding purchasing power, an angle absent from the center articles provided - The right explicitly frames the issue in the 2027 presidential campaign, while the center focuses mainly on economic outlooks and the high cost of living mobilization ## Timeline (4 events) ### 28 October 2026 — [Why French purchasing power is declining](https://acturadar.com/en/events/2640-why-french-purchasing-power-is-declining.md) Analysis of the causes behind the erosion of household purchasing power: rising compulsory expenses and social and employer contributions, a central theme of the 2027 campaign. 1 sources, 1 articles · Nationwide ### 30 October 2026 — [Inflation reaches 3.4% year-on-year in October 2026](https://acturadar.com/en/events/4646-inflation-reaches-3-4-year-on-year-in-october-2026.md) According to INSEE, consumer prices would increase by 3.4% year-on-year in October 2026, driven by acceleration in energy prices. 7 sources, 8 articles · Nationwide ### 31 October 2026 — [Le directeur de l'Insee analyse le recul du pouvoir d'achat des Français](https://acturadar.com/en/events/5566-le-directeur-de-l-insee-analyse-le-recul-du-pouvoir-d-achat-des-francais.md) Fabrice Lenglart, directeur général de l'Insee, estime que la crise du pouvoir d'achat n'est pas inédite, alors que celui des Français devrait reculer pour la deuxième année consécutive en 2026. 1 sources, 1 articles · Nationwide ### 31 October 2026 — [Le pouvoir d'achat des Français en baisse, analyses et perspectives](https://acturadar.com/en/events/5831-le-pouvoir-d-achat-des-francais-en-baisse-analyses-et-perspectives.md) Alors qu'un nouveau samedi de mobilisation contre la vie chère se tient, les médias font le point sur la baisse du pouvoir d'achat des Français et ses perspectives. 1 sources, 1 articles · Nationwide --- Cite as: Acturadar, “Decline in French purchasing power and inflation in 2026”, https://acturadar.com/en/stories/201-decline-in-french-purchasing-power-and-inflation-in-2026 Methodology: https://acturadar.com/en/methodology