Informations Rapides · 25 January 2022 · n° 21

In January 2022, the business managers of small building firms are more optimistic about their activity prospects Quarterly survey of the building crafts sector - January 2022

In January 2022, the opinion of the business managers of small building firms on their activity for the next three months is better than in October: the balance relating to expected activity has bounced back sharply and stands well above its long-term average. Likewise, the craftsmen in the building sector are much more confident about the general business outlook for the sector than in October 2021: the corresponding balance of opinion has risen again and thus remains well above its long-term average.

However, the opinion of the business managers of small building firms on their activity over the past three months has deteriorated: the corresponding balance has fallen back sharply and has moved closer to its long-term average.

In January 2022, somewhat more craftsmen than in October 2021 have reported that they had increased their workforce size over the past three months: the corresponding balance of opinion has risen again a little, thus remaining above its long-term average. The balance relating to the expected change in workforce size over the next three months has improved again too and stands well above its average.

In January 2022, 69% of the business managers of small building firms have reported experiencing recruiting problems. This proportion has increased for the fourth consecutive quarter and reached the highest point since the beginning of the series (October 1990). At the same time, 44% of the building craftsmen have declared they train apprentices, an increasing proportion with respect to last quarter.