Tracked since February 1995, the indicator of French optimism about the future stands at 18% as the 2026 school year begins, compared with 82% who are pessimistic, including 27% who are “very pessimistic.” This is the lowest level recorded since June 2024 (17%), when the survey was conducted against the backdrop of the dissolution of the National Assembly. Excluding that period, the indicator has never fallen this low in the entire data series. The decline has been steady over the past year: down 8 percentage points from January 2026 (26%) and down 13 percentage points from the start of the previous school year (31% in August 2025). We observe differences based on age: optimism stands at 29% among those under 35, compared with just 9% among those 65 and older.
Health remains the top priority (86%), having consistently held the top spot since 2019, against a backdrop of concerns regarding the state of the public hospital system, medical deserts, and the management of long-term care.
Next are issues related to purchasing power, which have seen a significant increase over the past year: rising prices and inflation (78%, up 10 points since August 2025) and wage increases (70%, up 8 points). Education remains high on the list (75%), reflecting a perception that the school system is falling behind, fueled by international rankings such as PISA. Issues related to state authority remain central, including the fight against crime (69%) and the fight against drug trafficking (63%).
The most significant change in this survey wave concerns environmental protection and the fight against climate change, cited as a priority by 64% of the French public—an increase of 19 points in one year—its highest level since August 2022. This uptick can be attributed to the prominence of the heat waves and wildfires of the summer of 2026. However, public opinion remains highly polarized: 89% among LFI supporters and 86% among Les Écologistes supporters, compared to 47% among RN supporters and 40% among LR supporters.
