Winter 2025: What French Households Are Cutting First — And What the Latest Data Reveals About 2026

Winter 2025 is forcing French households to cut spending on food, heating, transport and daily essentials. Here’s what the latest data reveals — and what it means heading into 2026.

As inflation cools on paper but not in the supermarket aisles, French families are entering winter with tighter budgets, heavier energy bills, and difficult choices. Here’s what the latest data shows about how households are adapting — and what may lie ahead for 2026.

Food Spending Falls Again — But Prices Keep Rising

In late October, national statistics confirmed that food prices rose 1% year-on-year, reversing the slowdown seen over the summer. At the same time, household consumption reports show that the French are buying less food overall than most European neighbours. Families are “absorbing” price increases not by switching brands but by cutting quantities — especially of meat, prepared meals, and branded products.

This trend aligns with long-term behaviour: in 2024, food volumes dropped by almost 4%, and 2025 data suggests the pattern is continuing. Even in rural areas, where home-growing offsets some costs, households are still trimming their supermarket baskets.

Heating Costs Remain a Major Stress Point

Although energy prices eased slightly in late 2025, this relief is uneven. Our earlier report, “A Third of French Households Struggle to Pay Their Energy Bills”, highlights that structural pressures remain. According to that survey, many families are:

Turning heating on later in the season,
Lowering thermostat settings,
Restricting heating to one or two rooms,
Buying firewood in smaller quantities due to upfront costs.

The new 2025 comparison of systems — wood, gas, oil, electricity — shows that wood remains the cheapest per kWh, but supply issues and delivery fees mean many low-income homes still rely heavily on electricity, the most expensive option this winter.

Transport: Car Use Drops, Public Transport Costs Rise

Households are also cutting back on car trips to reduce fuel consumption. Meanwhile, public transport is not offering major savings: the Navigo Pass is already set to exceed €90 in 2026, and several regional networks raised fares this year.

Rural households, with little access to trains or buses, are particularly exposed. Many report combining errands, reducing leisure trips, and postponing non-urgent travel.

Personal Spending: Clothing, Culture and Eating Out Hit Hard

Non-essential spending continues to fall sharply. A recent national comparison shows that French households consume less clothing and fewer cultural outings than their European counterparts. Cinema entries are down, restaurant visits have slowed (outside major cities), and clothing chains continue to close locations.

Families with children report prioritising school-related expenses and winter coats, while postponing everything else to the January sales.

Savings Rise Despite Everything — But Not for Everyone

Another paradox is emerging: overall savings rates remain high, as seen in our report on political uncertainty driving savings behaviour. But this increase is concentrated among better-off households, while low-income families save nothing and accumulate delays on bills.

For many, savings are not a choice but a precaution — a reaction to uncertainty about electricity prices, government budget measures, and the general economic climate.

READ ALSO: 2026 Price Shock: How Rising Costs Will Hit Drivers and Homeowners in France

What to Expect Heading Into 2026

Based on the trajectory of late 2025 data, analysts expect the following pressures to continue into early 2026:

Slow but persistent inflation on food staples,
Stable or slightly higher electricity costs depending on EU energy markets,
Higher transport costs in major cities,
Ongoing declines in discretionary spending,
Increasing regional divides between rural and urban households.

This winter is likely to reinforce trends seen since 2022: smaller baskets, stricter heating habits, fewer trips, and careful budgeting. For expatriates, retirees, and households on modest incomes, these shifts are already reshaping daily life.