Small Business Economic Barometer – Wave 82

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26.01.26

Ifop Opinion
Public affairs
FR

1 min to read

Collection methodology

The survey was conducted among a sample of 1,016 managers of very small businesses (VSEs) with between 0 and 19 employees. Companies with annual sales of less than €50,000 were not surveyed as part of this study. However, it does include auto-entrepreneurs.

The sample was reasoned and then reduced to its real weight during processing, based on the following criteria: company sector of activity, company size, region of establishment.

Interviews were conducted by telephone between December 8, 2025 and January 2, 2026.

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Chloé Tegny

Group Manager – Corporate & Work Experience

Ifop Opinion
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Find out more about the main findings of the survey:

Despite some stabilization in the political situation, VSE owners’ optimism about their own business remains unchanged and in the minority in the fourth quarter of 2025, as it was in the third quarter. Optimism about the general business climate in France has also stabilized at a very low level, accompanied by a prolonged lack of confidence in the French government.
Hiring is down in the fourth quarter of 2025, while the number of job cuts is also declining, albeit less significantly.
VSE owners are generally satisfied with the municipal government’s actions over the past six years, and report that progress has been made, particularly in addressing their concerns as heads of very small businesses.
Despite a degree of skepticism about the power of local elected representatives to act on economic issues, VSE owners are more demanding when it comes to quality of life and safety at local level.