It’s a back to school marked by depression for decision makers. The new barometer carried out by Viavoice for HEC Paris, Le Figaro and BFM Business among more than 400 managers marks a new drop in morale.
September 2023 could have begun with the best auspices, after the urban violence of June-July and the increase in international tensions. And yet, the executive morale index stands at -34, the lowest score reached since last March. France was then immersed in debates over pension reform.
If the score obtained is so low, it is due to a deterioration in economic expectations. Thus, 73% of decision makers believe that the standard of living in France will deteriorate within a year. A rate 13 points higher than the previous wave, last July.
Along the same lines, a majority of leaders (54%) foresee an increase in the number of unemployed in France. Also in this case the score increases significantly compared to the previous study (+15 points).
Purchasing power, at the center of the concerns of decision makers
The surprising element of this barometer is the question of purchasing power, which is at the center of the concerns of decision makers. Thus, 75% of executives and 80% of French people in general fear inflation.
Even more surprising is that 9 out of 10 executives say they perceive the impact of inflation on purchasing power. Almost 7 in 10 have even noticed a “drop in their standard of living in recent months.”
Logically, the percentage of decision makers who expect a deterioration in their personal financial situation is increasing: 54%, +7 points since July 2023. A trend that follows that of the general public: 57% and an increase of 6 points.
Good news in this environmental crisis: 48% of decision makers consider that their employees are more motivated this month than last July (+5 points in two months). Same trend for assets in general.
*Study conducted through interviews conducted online from September 14 to 18, 2023. A sample of 401 decision makers and a general public sample of 1,001 people, representative of the population of executives residing in mainland France. Representativeness guaranteed by the quota method.
Source: BFM TV
