25 October 2019

2019- n° 278

In October 2019, confidence of business managers in civil engineering keeps weakening Quaterly survey of public works - October 2019

According to the business managers surveyed in October 2019, the economic climate in civil engineering is less favourable than in July. However, the civil engineering professionals have remained confident: all the balances of opinion stand well above their long-term average.

In October 2019, fewer business managers than in July have indicated an increase in their activity over the last three months. The corresponding balance of opinion has fallen again overall but remains largely above its long-term average. This decrease is marked for both public-sector clients and private-sector clients. For the next three month, fewer business managers than in the previous interrogation have anticipated an increase in their activity, for the third consecutive quarter. The corresponding balance has decreased again for both types of clients but remains in both cases well above its long-term average. Moreover, fewer business managers than in July deem that their order books remain well filled: the corresponding balance of opinion has declined again, more largely than in July. However, it remains far above its long-term average.

In October 2019, the obstacles to production increase due to workforce shortage remains significant, but are slightly weaker than in July. Indeed, 46% of businesses have indicated being hampered because of workforce shortage. While it had risen since the beginning of the year, this share has decreased slightly in October, while staying largely above its long-term average (16%).

In October 2019, fewer business managers than in July have planed to increase their workforce in the next three months. The corresponding balance has fallen again, more sharply than in July, while remaining largely above its long-term average.