26 July 2019

2019- n° 196

In July 2019, confidence of business managers in civil engineering weakens slightly Quaterly survey of public works - July 2019

According to the business managers surveyed in July 2019, the economic climate in civil engineering has faltered. However, the civil engineering professionals remain confident: all the balances of opinion stand well above their long-term average.

In July 2019, slightly fewer business managers than in April 2019 have indicated an increase in their activity over the last three months. The corresponding balance of opinion has fallen back overall but remains largely above its long-term average. This balance of opinion has decreased slightly for both public sector clients and private sector clients. For the third consecutive quarter, fewer business managers than in the previous interrogation anticipate an increase in their activity for the next three months. The corresponding balance has decreased again for both types of clients but remains in both cases well above its long-term average. Moreover, slightly fewer business managers than in April deem that their order books remain well filled: the corresponding balance of opinion has slipped back slightly after having reached in April its highest level since July 2007. It remains far above its long-term average.

In July 2019, the obstacles to production increase due to workforce shortage are as significant as in April. Indeed, 48% of businesses have indicated being hampered because of workforce shortage, as in the previous quarter. While it had declined in the beginning of the year and then bounced back in April, this share is stable in July, largely above its long-term average (16%).

Slightly fewer business managers than in April 2019 plan to increase their workforce in the next three months. The corresponding balance has edged down while remaining largely above its long-term average.