French consumer sentiment about the country's economic performance in December 2011 was stable compared to the previous month, government figures showed on Thursday.

The consumer confidence index remained unchanged at 80 points over the period while households' sentiment to their future personal financial situation stood at minus 30, two points down from November, French statistics institute Insee said.

However, the consumers showed less pessimism over saving capacity in the coming months as saving opportunities indicator improved by two points to 17 points from November, it added.

As to unemployment rate, more people predicted for an increase of unemployment in the future, with "the level of this balance remained much higher than in early 2011."

France, Europe's second largest economy, is currently struggling to narrow its widening budget deficit and boost economic growth. It has targeted a 1-percent growth this year, and also pledged to cut down this year's deficit to 4.5 percent of its GDP, and further to 3 percent in 2013.