France's jobless rate rose to a new five-year high of 10.2 per cent in March, and consumer confidence improved only slightly in April, data showed today.
French statistics office INSEE also released a quarterly survey showing French industry demand is expected to fall in the second quarter of 2005, compared to the first.
Economists polled by Reuters had expected unemployment to stay flat at 10.1 per cent in March.
They had forecast the consumer morale index would fall to minus 26 in April but it actually came in at minus 24.
Downbeat economic data is adding to the woes of Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin's government, which is seeking to rally support for the EU constitution in a referendum on May 29th.
Polls indicate a majority of French wants to reject the EU treaty, with many voters saying they want to express their anger over high French unemployment and cost-cutting economic reforms.
France's conservative government has forecast 2.0-2.5 per cent growth this year but many economists believe this is optimistic.