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Informations Rapides · 21 February 2025 · n° 43
Informations rapidesIn February 2025, the business climate in building construction has darkened Monthly survey of building - February 2025

According to business managers surveyed in February 2025, the business climate in building construction has darkened. At 98, the synthetic indicator has lost one point and stands below its long-term average (100). Business manager are slightly more pessimistic than in January about their expected activity and their opinion on the evolution of their workforce size has deteriorated.

Informations rapides
No 43
Paru le :Paru le21/02/2025
Prochaine parution le : 19/09/2025 at 08:45 - September 2025

According to business managers surveyed in February 2025, the business climate in building construction has darkened. At 98, the synthetic indicator has lost one point and stands below its long-term average (100). Business manager are slightly more pessimistic than in January about their expected activity and their opinion on the evolution of their workforce size has deteriorated.

Business climate composite indicator

Business climate composite indicator
Business climate composite indicator
2025-02 98.2
2025-01 98.8
2024-12 98.2
2024-11 99.2
2024-10 99.8
2024-09 99.8
2024-08 100.6
2024-07 98.7
2024-06 100.0
2024-05 101.8
2024-04 100.7
2024-03 102.7
2024-02 102.8
2024-01 102.6
2023-12 101.8
2023-11 102.9
2023-10 103.7
2023-09 105.0
2023-08 105.4
2023-07 105.1
2023-06 105.8
2023-05 106.6
2023-04 107.8
2023-03 107.9
2023-02 108.8
2023-01 109.6
2022-12 110.2
2022-11 109.4
2022-10 110.7
2022-09 109.1
2022-08 109.5
2022-07 109.4
2022-06 109.4
2022-05 109.7
2022-04 110.7
2022-03 111.2
2022-02 110.9
2022-01 109.3
2021-12 112.5
2021-11 111.2
2021-10 110.7
2021-09 111.3
2021-08 111.2
2021-07 111.2
2021-06 111.1
2021-05 110.0
2021-04 108.0
2021-03 106.9
2021-02 103.3
2021-01 103.4
2020-12 102.4
2020-11 100.5
2020-10 106.0
2020-09 103.7
2020-08 102.3
2020-07 96.8
2020-06 89.1
2020-05 78.2
2020-04 80.3
2020-03 109.5
2020-02 110.8
2020-01 109.3
2019-12 108.7
2019-11 109.4
2019-10 110.8
2019-09 110.2
2019-08 109.3
2019-07 109.5
2019-06 109.4
2019-05 109.2
2019-04 109.7
2019-03 110.0
2019-02 110.5
2019-01 109.1
2018-12 108.7
2018-11 108.0
2018-10 107.7
2018-09 108.0
2018-08 108.4
2018-07 108.6
2018-06 108.3
2018-05 108.8
2018-04 109.6
2018-03 109.9
2018-02 109.0
2018-01 110.3
2017-12 110.1
2017-11 108.3
2017-10 106.7
2017-09 107.3
2017-08 107.0
2017-07 107.4
2017-06 106.3
2017-05 104.4
2017-04 102.7
2017-03 102.8
2017-02 102.1
2017-01 103.1
2016-12 101.1
2016-11 102.3
2016-10 102.9
2016-09 101.0
2016-08 99.8
2016-07 99.4
2016-06 99.2
2016-05 99.4
2016-04 97.5
2016-03 96.3
2016-02 94.6
2016-01 96.4
2015-12 96.6
2015-11 93.6
2015-10 94.6
2015-09 94.8
2015-08 95.3
2015-07 92.8
2015-06 92.9
2015-05 90.6
2015-04 91.2
2015-03 90.1
2015-02 89.7
2015-01 88.8
2014-12 90.2
2014-11 90.7
2014-10 88.1
2014-09 88.3
2014-08 89.8
2014-07 91.4
2014-06 93.4
2014-05 93.2
2014-04 93.0
2014-03 93.9
2014-02 93.2
2014-01 93.8
2013-12 93.4
2013-11 95.4
2013-10 96.2
2013-09 96.3
2013-08 94.1
2013-07 92.1
2013-06 90.9
2013-05 91.4
2013-04 91.0
2013-03 91.5
2013-02 92.4
2013-01 92.3
2012-12 92.9
2012-11 92.4
2012-10 92.7
2012-09 94.1
2012-08 94.6
2012-07 95.1
2012-06 96.5
2012-05 96.2
2012-04 98.1
2012-03 99.0
2012-02 99.4
2012-01 100.2
2011-12 99.2
2011-11 99.3
2011-10 101.0
2011-09 102.2
2011-08 104.1
2011-07 106.7
2011-06 106.0
2011-05 105.7
2011-04 106.4
2011-03 104.5
2011-02 103.4
2011-01 101.3
2010-12 101.0
2010-11 99.9
2010-10 98.6
2010-09 96.9
2010-08 97.2
2010-07 96.5
2010-06 94.5
2010-05 93.9
2010-04 92.7
2010-03 92.7
2010-02 93.1
2010-01 92.4
2009-12 92.1
2009-11 92.0
2009-10 92.2
2009-09 90.8
2009-08 89.6
2009-07 87.9
2009-06 87.6
2009-05 88.2
2009-04 87.6
2009-03 88.3
2009-02 86.7
2009-01 90.3
2008-12 91.7
2008-11 93.0
2008-10 94.7
2008-09 102.4
2008-08 104.2
2008-07 104.3
2008-06 105.9
2008-05 109.6
2008-04 111.5
2008-03 113.0
2008-02 112.3
2008-01 111.7
2007-12 113.7
2007-11 113.8
2007-10 113.6
2007-09 114.5
2007-08 114.5
2007-07 115.7
2007-06 116.1
2007-05 115.1
2007-04 115.2
2007-03 114.5
2007-02 114.4
2007-01 115.3
2006-12 115.1
2006-11 115.2
2006-10 115.6
2006-09 114.9
2006-08 113.9
2006-07 113.8
2006-06 113.3
2006-05 113.5
2006-04 112.6
2006-03 112.5
2006-02 112.6
2006-01 114.0
2005-12 113.5
2005-11 114.2
2005-10 112.5
2005-09 110.8
2005-08 110.9
2005-07 111.4
2005-06 110.8
2005-05 109.5
2005-04 109.8
2005-03 109.4
2005-02 108.9
2005-01 109.3
2004-12 109.8
2004-11 109.9
2004-10 108.6
2004-09 108.5
2004-08 108.1
2004-07 107.8
2004-06 105.6
2004-05 106.3
2004-04 106.9
2004-03 106.3
2004-02 105.3
2004-01 107.5
2003-12 103.9
2003-11 102.3
2003-10 99.9
2003-09 101.7
2003-08 99.3
2003-07 97.1
2003-06 96.6
2003-05 96.2
2003-04 95.6
2003-03 94.5
2003-02 95.9
2003-01 95.9
2002-12 95.1
2002-11 95.6
2002-10 98.2
2002-09 98.0
2002-08 99.1
2002-07 100.4
2002-06 103.9
2002-05 103.9
2002-04 101.1
2002-03 103.8
2002-02 103.4
2002-01 102.4
2001-12 102.5
2001-11 102.8
2001-10 103.5
2001-09 104.1
2001-08 105.7
2001-07 107.2
2001-06 108.1
2001-05 110.1
2001-04 110.4
2001-03 113.7
2001-02 114.8
2001-01 114.4
2000-12 117.9
2000-11 120.8
2000-10 122.4
2000-09 121.8
2000-08 121.4
2000-07 121.0
2000-06 119.9
2000-05 117.9
2000-04 121.0
2000-03 118.8
2000-02 117.7
2000-01 119.4
1999-12 118.4
1999-11 114.9
1999-10 113.8
1999-09 113.8
1999-08 113.6
1999-07 113.4
1999-06 111.3
1999-05 112.7
1999-04 108.8
1999-03 107.0
1999-02 106.6
1999-01 105.5
1998-12 100.7
1998-11 105.5
1998-10 105.9
1998-09 108.5
1998-08 107.9
1998-07 107.2
1998-06 105.8
1998-05 104.2
1998-04 101.8
1998-03 103.0
1998-02 100.7
1998-01 99.7

Business climate composite indicator

  • Source: INSEE.

Building industry economic outlook

Balances of opinion, in %, SA
Building industry economic outlook (Balances of opinion, in %, SA)
Average* November 24 December 24 January 25 February 25
Composite indicator 100 99 98 99 98
Past activity -3 -14 -15 -16 -16
Expected activity -4 -11 -14 -10 -11
General business outlook **** -15 -27
Past employment -4 -2 -5 -6 -4
Expected employment -1 3 0 2 -2
Opinion on order books -21 -27 -30 -30 -31
Order books (in month) 6.1 8.0 7.9 7.8 7.7
Production capacity utilisation rate (in %) 89.0 90.0 88.5 89.3 88.3
Obstacles to production increase (in %) ** 65 60 60 60 60
     Because of an insufficient demand (in %) ** 31 36 36 36 37
     Because of workforce shortage (in %) ** 29 29 28 29 27
     Because of supply difficulties (in %) ** 6 2 2 2 1
Production bottlenecks (in %) 34 41 37 36 37
Recruiting problems (in %) **** 61 72
Expected prices -8 -6 -3 -4 -6
Cash-flow position **** -10 -12
Payment delays **** 30 32
Economic uncertainty felt *** 9 14 14 11 15
  • *Average since April 1978 for the composite indicator, since September 1993 for the balances of opinion, since April 2021 for the balances of opinion on the economic uncertainty felt.
  • ** Non-seasonally adjusted percentage of weighted responses.
  • *** Non-seasonally adjusted balance of opinion.
  • **** Balance of opinion from the quarterly section of the survey.
  • Source: INSEE, French business survey in the building industry.

Entrepreneurs’ opinion on their expected activity has deteriorated slightly

In February 2025, building contractors’ opinion on their past activity remains stable, whereas the balance of opinion on the expected activity has declined slightly. Both associated balances of opinion remain well below their respective long-term averages.

Activity tendency in building construction

Activity tendency in building construction
Expected activity Past activity
2025-02 -11.4 -16.1
2025-01 -9.8 -16.4
2024-12 -13.6 -14.8
2024-11 -11.0 -13.5
2024-10 -12.7 -8.7
2024-09 -10.6 -10.7
2024-08 -8.2 -8.7
2024-07 -14.7 -12.0
2024-06 -11.1 -10.2
2024-05 -5.8 -6.3
2024-04 -12.5 -6.6
2024-03 -4.9 -3.8
2024-02 -2.5 -6.6
2024-01 -4.6 -6.4
2023-12 -8.5 -5.5
2023-11 -4.5 -3.8
2023-10 -5.1 -1.5
2023-09 -1.3 0.4
2023-08 1.1 1.2
2023-07 -1.0 0.3
2023-06 0.9 1.3
2023-05 0.9 4.7
2023-04 3.4 5.8
2023-03 2.0 5.8
2023-02 6.0 5.2
2023-01 6.6 7.2
2022-12 8.5 7.9
2022-11 6.0 5.2
2022-10 7.8 9.4
2022-09 6.0 4.6
2022-08 5.9 5.2
2022-07 5.4 6.6
2022-06 4.5 7.9
2022-05 9.1 1.9
2022-04 6.8 10.5
2022-03 10.9 10.9
2022-02 11.3 9.2
2022-01 7.8 4.2
2021-12 18.1 10.4
2021-11 12.3 10.8
2021-10 12.5 9.4
2021-09 14.8 11.8
2021-08 12.1 12.8
2021-07 11.9 14.0
2021-06 11.4 14.3
2021-05 14.5 6.5
2021-04 8.2 5.1
2021-03 7.5 2.0
2021-02 -2.7 -1.7
2021-01 -1.0 -2.0
2020-12 -6.1 -2.0
2020-11 -16.0 0.6
2020-10 1.9 10.1
2020-09 3.5 -3.5
2020-08 13.6 -20.7
2020-07 20.1 -60.8
2020-06 3.6 -80.3
2020-05 -46.6 -76.8
2020-04 -83.5 -24.0
2020-03 6.6 17.1
2020-02 14.2 12.3
2020-01 10.0 9.7
2019-12 9.1 8.8
2019-11 9.2 11.9
2019-10 15.9 13.1
2019-09 12.4 13.3
2019-08 12.1 10.2
2019-07 11.5 12.3
2019-06 14.5 8.9
2019-05 12.7 7.6
2019-04 12.8 10.4
2019-03 14.0 11.0
2019-02 14.7 10.3
2019-01 15.1 7.7
2018-12 11.2 6.5
2018-11 10.6 3.9
2018-10 9.6 4.0
2018-09 9.5 3.1
2018-08 5.6 9.3
2018-07 7.4 7.6
2018-06 12.1 4.7
2018-05 12.9 7.1
2018-04 13.5 9.9
2018-03 11.6 12.7
2018-02 10.8 14.0
2018-01 13.2 14.8
2017-12 14.1 12.7
2017-11 13.9 9.7
2017-10 7.9 5.5
2017-09 9.1 9.1
2017-08 14.5 2.3
2017-07 11.5 4.9
2017-06 3.4 10.9
2017-05 2.1 5.0
2017-04 5.9 -7.1
2017-03 2.6 -1.9
2017-02 -0.5 -1.0
2017-01 -2.8 5.6
2016-12 -0.8 -5.5
2016-11 1.6 0.6
2016-10 3.7 -0.4
2016-09 0.5 -6.1
2016-08 -3.3 -6.7
2016-07 -0.2 -9.8
2016-06 -2.7 -8.6
2016-05 -2.1 -8.1
2016-04 -5.1 -13.6
2016-03 -9.3 -14.1
2016-02 -16.1 -15.2
2016-01 -8.2 -14.6
2015-12 -8.0 -11.7
2015-11 -20.7 -15.3
2015-10 -15.2 -14.5
2015-09 -13.3 -16.9
2015-08 -8.8 -18.1
2015-07 -16.4 -22.2
2015-06 -20.4 -19.9
2015-05 -26.4 -21.7
2015-04 -24.0 -20.8
2015-03 -24.4 -27.6
2015-02 -23.7 -30.3
2015-01 -32.7 -23.0
2014-12 -27.9 -23.1
2014-11 -24.7 -25.3
2014-10 -29.9 -31.8
2014-09 -30.0 -29.7
2014-08 -27.4 -25.0
2014-07 -28.1 -18.2
2014-06 -17.6 -18.2
2014-05 -19.6 -19.0
2014-04 -22.4 -17.5
2014-03 -18.7 -17.3
2014-02 -20.7 -17.4
2014-01 -15.6 -20.7
2013-12 -18.6 -20.2
2013-11 -16.4 -13.0
2013-10 -15.5 -13.3
2013-09 -12.4 -13.2
2013-08 -19.7 -16.7
2013-07 -22.4 -22.2
2013-06 -24.0 -26.5
2013-05 -21.4 -26.7
2013-04 -24.6 -28.1
2013-03 -24.4 -23.9
2013-02 -22.1 -23.3
2013-01 -24.3 -21.6
2012-12 -21.9 -20.5
2012-11 -24.5 -21.2
2012-10 -25.9 -18.3
2012-09 -20.3 -15.0
2012-08 -19.3 -15.2
2012-07 -16.8 -15.0
2012-06 -14.0 -13.5
2012-05 -14.8 -13.4
2012-04 -12.0 -8.6
2012-03 -10.7 -5.6
2012-02 -12.5 -3.8
2012-01 -10.6 -1.6
2011-12 -11.6 -4.4
2011-11 -9.8 -4.3
2011-10 -4.7 -2.2
2011-09 -4.3 -0.7
2011-08 0.8 1.5
2011-07 5.0 8.2
2011-06 4.4 6.3
2011-05 2.0 6.1
2011-04 4.9 8.3
2011-03 2.8 1.6
2011-02 3.0 -3.8
2011-01 -1.0 -8.5
2010-12 -0.9 -7.8
2010-11 -0.5 -12.8
2010-10 -4.2 -13.1
2010-09 -12.7 -13.2
2010-08 -10.3 -12.7
2010-07 -11.4 -14.0
2010-06 -15.2 -17.5
2010-05 -17.6 -20.7
2010-04 -18.1 -25.4
2010-03 -18.2 -26.2
2010-02 -18.6 -23.7
2010-01 -20.1 -26.6
2009-12 -20.1 -26.5
2009-11 -20.4 -26.2
2009-10 -21.1 -24.9
2009-09 -24.5 -28.3
2009-08 -26.5 -31.2
2009-07 -31.4 -33.3
2009-06 -33.5 -33.1
2009-05 -34.2 -29.2
2009-04 -36.7 -30.1
2009-03 -36.9 -24.3
2009-02 -47.1 -25.8
2009-01 -35.2 -19.5
2008-12 -30.7 -21.0
2008-11 -36.1 -11.4
2008-10 -33.0 -10.7
2008-09 -9.3 -0.9
2008-08 -4.5 0.3
2008-07 -5.2 -0.3
2008-06 -4.1 4.9
2008-05 9.8 9.6
2008-04 9.2 16.2
2008-03 17.4 15.7
2008-02 14.9 18.0
2008-01 7.3 18.7
2007-12 16.6 19.2
2007-11 13.6 21.4
2007-10 16.2 19.5
2007-09 19.6 20.6
2007-08 18.4 20.7
2007-07 19.7 25.0
2007-06 21.1 24.9
2007-05 20.3 22.3
2007-04 20.1 24.1
2007-03 17.7 22.6
2007-02 18.5 19.9
2007-01 21.0 20.1
2006-12 20.3 22.0
2006-11 23.4 20.5
2006-10 21.3 22.9
2006-09 19.1 22.6
2006-08 17.5 20.6
2006-07 17.3 21.2
2006-06 14.3 21.4
2006-05 17.1 21.0
2006-04 15.6 20.1
2006-03 16.1 17.6
2006-02 19.9 13.5
2006-01 19.8 20.4
2005-12 19.7 20.2
2005-11 23.0 19.2
2005-10 18.5 18.1
2005-09 13.5 15.4
2005-08 14.1 14.6
2005-07 15.0 15.3
2005-06 16.4 12.6
2005-05 12.7 9.2
2005-04 13.3 9.8
2005-03 13.0 8.4
2005-02 8.9 11.6
2005-01 11.2 11.1

Activity tendency in building construction

  • Source: INSEE.

Business managers' opinion on their future activity reveals more contrasts depending on their type of construction work: the balance of opinion on expected activity for new housing construction has noticeably deteriorated while it has maintained for non dwelling building. Both balances stand well below their long-term average. However, contractors’ opinion is more favourable when it comes to their expected activity regarding maintenance and improvement: the associated balance of opinion, although already above its long-term average, has kept on improving for the fifth consecutive month.

The economic uncertainty felt by building construction managers has increased, moving further away from its long-term average.

Expected activity in the building construction

Expected activity in the building construction
Other new buildings New dwelling Maintenance and improvement
2025-02 -21.6 -40.7 9.3
2025-01 -21.6 -33.1 8.1
2024-12 -23.0 -38.2 3.9
2024-11 -21.1 -35.3 1.6
2024-10 -21.4 -34.1 0.5
2024-09 -14.1 -36.7 -2.2
2024-08 -11.9 -32.6 4.4
2024-07 -19.8 -38.3 -2.6
2024-06 -12.9 -35.1 0.3
2024-05 -11.5 -35.2 5.7
2024-04 -7.5 -36.7 -1.5
2024-03 -5.3 -33.9 8.4
2024-02 -10.7 -32.9 15.1
2024-01 -18.0 -35.0 17.3
2023-12 -14.5 -32.2 8.9
2023-11 -14.3 -29.4 5.7
2023-10 -9.6 -29.3 9.3
2023-09 -2.2 -26.0 11.9
2023-08 1.0 -22.5 11.8
2023-07 0.6 -26.7 8.5
2023-06 -2.8 -14.3 9.7
2023-05 0.4 -23.6 8.4
2023-04 4.8 -15.9 14.9
2023-03 0.0 -15.2 11.3
2023-02 0.0 -14.1 16.5
2023-01 -2.9 -11.5 22.6
2022-12 -1.9 -10.3 18.5
2022-11 -5.3 -10.8 11.3
2022-10 -1.5 -3.6 16.4
2022-09 3.1 -7.7 12.9
2022-08 -4.8 -4.7 16.1
2022-07 -2.9 -10.5 13.2
2022-06 -1.2 -6.1 7.9
2022-05 4.8 -1.4 18.2
2022-04 3.8 -2.6 24.1
2022-03 10.7 3.8 16.0
2022-02 7.6 5.6 16.4
2022-01 5.2 5.2 8.1
2021-12 7.5 13.7 19.1
2021-11 -1.3 8.2 20.2
2021-10 3.2 6.3 17.4
2021-09 13.1 9.8 19.7
2021-08 5.3 5.6 16.8
2021-07 1.6 9.9 15.7
2021-06 8.5 2.5 20.2
2021-05 7.8 8.6 24.1
2021-04 3.9 4.2 15.7
2021-03 1.9 3.7 16.2
2021-02 -7.2 -7.6 6.7
2021-01 -15.6 1.5 0.2
2020-12 -14.5 1.1 3.8
2020-11 -15.5 -16.9 -16.5
2020-10 -10.4 10.9 3.9
2020-09 0.0 1.0 -3.9
2020-08 -5.2 3.9 43.3
2020-07 12.0 10.2 62.8
2020-06 3.6 1.2 26.7
2020-05 -41.7 -44.7 -10.8
2020-04 -84.8 -87.4 -55.2
2020-03 4.4 -5.8 15.0
2020-02 7.8 0.6 12.1
2020-01 5.5 4.0 8.4
2019-12 -2.2 4.5 9.6
2019-11 3.6 5.7 10.6
2019-10 9.1 13.5 11.0
2019-09 10.7 4.1 13.2
2019-08 11.7 1.6 12.5
2019-07 13.5 0.7 13.3
2019-06 15.9 3.2 17.8
2019-05 13.6 2.0 15.4
2019-04 20.2 0.4 12.7
2019-03 12.7 0.7 14.2
2019-02 12.4 1.4 15.6
2019-01 14.8 2.8 13.3
2018-12 8.5 4.5 10.3
2018-11 8.1 4.9 11.5
2018-10 9.3 -1.4 13.9
2018-09 6.7 -2.9 11.3
2018-08 5.1 -1.9 11.2
2018-07 7.7 2.9 13.5
2018-06 12.5 5.6 12.6
2018-05 13.9 4.1 11.9
2018-04 20.1 9.8 10.0
2018-03 10.2 10.0 10.1
2018-02 6.2 9.9 10.7
2018-01 6.9 9.1 14.5
2017-12 8.5 6.5 15.4
2017-11 14.6 5.8 13.6
2017-10 1.7 7.2 8.1
2017-09 15.1 7.5 14.8
2017-08 9.2 11.6 11.7
2017-07 14.9 13.4 8.2
2017-06 -0.1 9.8 -1.2
2017-05 0.5 11.8 2.1
2017-04 10.1 10.5 6.4
2017-03 -4.5 3.3 10.9
2017-02 -8.9 6.3 1.5
2017-01 -15.7 2.6 1.2
2016-12 -1.9 0.9 1.8
2016-11 12.4 -1.3 3.2
2016-10 6.7 2.0 7.6
2016-09 -2.3 3.5 0.6
2016-08 -6.3 0.3 0.8
2016-07 -0.7 -2.9 4.2
2016-06 -14.8 -11.5 0.8
2016-05 -17.4 -5.0 2.4
2016-04 -8.4 -8.3 0.1
2016-03 -11.8 -10.4 -1.3
2016-02 -28.7 -11.8 -4.1
2016-01 -17.2 -11.5 -5.2
2015-12 -6.3 -14.6 -3.3
2015-11 -23.8 -12.9 -8.3
2015-10 -30.0 -7.5 -8.9
2015-09 -24.2 -16.1 -10.7
2015-08 -26.2 -18.4 1.4
2015-07 -22.1 -23.3 -15.1
2015-06 -19.2 -20.8 -13.4
2015-05 -18.6 -27.7 -18.0
2015-04 -29.7 -27.4 -15.7
2015-03 -26.3 -27.9 -18.5
2015-02 -21.2 -42.6 -14.9
2015-01 -31.9 -39.7 -19.1
2014-12 -35.1 -32.5 -17.8
2014-11 -32.3 -27.4 -18.1
2014-10 -30.0 -36.8 -19.5
2014-09 -31.5 -37.4 -19.5
2014-08 -28.6 -37.1 -17.9
2014-07 -31.4 -33.7 -16.3
2014-06 -16.0 -36.1 -15.5
2014-05 -14.0 -31.1 -11.7
2014-04 -20.0 -32.2 -16.3
2014-03 -22.4 -27.0 -10.2
2014-02 -28.6 -28.1 -13.9
2014-01 -24.1 -26.6 -9.1
2013-12 -24.6 -26.4 -14.0
2013-11 -31.4 -22.2 -11.8
2013-10 -27.2 -24.7 -5.6
2013-09 -16.9 -24.9 -10.8
2013-08 -27.3 -29.8 -19.2
2013-07 -32.2 -32.0 -16.5
2013-06 -31.7 -29.2 -18.7
2013-05 -32.5 -32.0 -15.6
2013-04 -34.0 -33.7 -13.8
2013-03 -31.9 -33.6 -14.2
2013-02 -22.9 -33.1 -16.3
2013-01 -23.8 -32.8 -14.8
2012-12 -20.7 -34.4 -12.0
2012-11 -21.3 -37.2 -10.6
2012-10 -22.4 -38.0 -14.1
2012-09 -22.1 -33.2 -7.3
2012-08 -19.0 -32.0 -4.9
2012-07 -15.8 -31.9 -4.0
2012-06 -13.7 -28.2 -3.2
2012-05 -16.3 -38.6 -10.0
2012-04 -11.2 -31.8 -6.1
2012-03 -10.9 -29.2 -7.8
2012-02 -14.4 -19.1 -6.6
2012-01 -11.9 -16.5 -7.4
2011-12 -15.9 -15.8 -7.2
2011-11 -12.8 -15.3 -2.6
2011-10 -10.7 -6.7 4.7
2011-09 -7.1 -6.7 -2.7
2011-08 -2.1 0.4 -2.2
2011-07 1.3 5.4 0.6
2011-06 -5.0 2.7 2.8
2011-05 -3.2 3.9 3.1
2011-04 -3.3 13.5 1.8
2011-03 -4.8 9.1 2.6
2011-02 -3.7 7.9 8.3
2011-01 -5.9 5.2 3.3
2010-12 -7.0 14.2 -2.5
2010-11 -2.9 2.4 -1.8
2010-10 -10.1 -0.5 -3.1
2010-09 -17.1 -4.8 -20.7
2010-08 -21.8 -17.4 -1.8
2010-07 -27.2 -11.0 -4.9
2010-06 -30.8 -12.6 -7.0
2010-05 -32.1 -13.5 -5.1
2010-04 -33.4 -14.1 -6.5
2010-03 -32.9 -17.8 -7.4
2010-02 -31.6 -19.7 -6.4
2010-01 -34.0 -19.5 -8.8
2009-12 -30.6 -18.6 -8.4
2009-11 -29.4 -20.3 -10.9
2009-10 -30.3 -27.1 -9.2
2009-09 -34.3 -31.6 -11.7
2009-08 -38.5 -36.8 -15.2
2009-07 -39.8 -39.0 -17.6
2009-06 -42.2 -44.0 -18.0
2009-05 -41.0 -39.0 -21.8
2009-04 -40.4 -43.3 -19.6
2009-03 -38.3 -48.6 -20.7
2009-02 -39.4 -65.5 -29.1
2009-01 -27.1 -53.9 -13.1
2008-12 -35.2 -51.8 -13.3
2008-11 -31.0 -44.4 -10.9
2008-10 -24.7 -48.3 -7.3
2008-09 -14.6 -27.0 -2.6
2008-08 -8.4 -25.5 0.6
2008-07 -1.1 -23.5 2.0
2008-06 3.0 -20.1 4.5
2008-05 11.9 -9.1 7.2
2008-04 15.1 -9.7 10.5
2008-03 13.7 -0.3 25.8
2008-02 17.9 1.0 17.9
2008-01 8.8 -1.1 12.2
2007-12 16.4 4.2 18.5
2007-11 14.2 3.5 14.2
2007-10 17.8 8.7 15.4
2007-09 21.5 9.4 14.3
2007-08 21.7 8.5 15.4
2007-07 22.3 9.5 17.4
2007-06 24.0 13.0 18.6
2007-05 21.7 8.1 20.6
2007-04 16.3 8.7 19.2
2007-03 13.2 9.6 14.5
2007-02 19.7 13.4 15.5
2007-01 23.4 17.4 19.9
2006-12 26.9 9.8 14.2
2006-11 24.3 15.2 14.1
2006-10 19.8 14.9 15.1
2006-09 14.7 14.1 12.3
2006-08 11.4 16.5 13.1
2006-07 8.9 20.1 14.2
2006-06 9.7 15.7 12.6
2006-05 10.7 13.4 13.7
2006-04 14.3 13.4 10.5
2006-03 15.9 20.1 12.4
2006-02 16.3 19.0 13.0
2006-01 14.4 22.4 11.7
2005-12 17.8 26.1 13.2
2005-11 15.5 25.8 14.2
2005-10 12.6 13.9 11.5
2005-09 4.9 14.0 9.5
2005-08 5.4 13.3 8.0
2005-07 7.4 13.2 6.8
2005-06 8.1 21.1 12.3
2005-05 5.0 17.1 6.6
2005-04 11.2 18.8 6.0
2005-03 8.7 16.1 5.7
2005-02 -4.6 14.7 7.9
2005-01 -10.8 11.9 9.1

Expected activity in the building construction

  • Source: INSEE.

Order books remain deteriorated

In February 2025, the balance of opinion relating to the level of building construction managers' order books has fallen, reaching levels not observed since 2017 (excluding the COVID-19 pandemic). It stands well below its long-term average.

Given their workforce size, building contractors estimate that their order books provide them with 7.7 months of work, a duration that has been slightly but continuously decreasing for the past three months.

The production capacity utilisation rate has returned on a downward trend

In February 2025, 37% of companies have reported being at the limit of their production capacity (production bottlenecks), meaning that they would not be able to produce more with their current resources even if they received more orders. This share has bounced back slightly, moving further away from its long-term average (34%).

The production capacity utilisation rate has decreased by one point compared to January: at 88.3 %, it has returned under its long-term average, albeit slightly (89.0%). It has resumed the downward trend that began in October 2022, following a rebound in the previous month. It has reached levels unobserved since 2017 (excluding the COVID-19 pandemic).

As many business managers as in the previous month have reported facing obstacles limiting their production: at 60%, this share is stable below its long-term average. Nearly as many as in the previous month have reported facing insufficient demand (37%), a share above its average for nearly a year. Slightly less contractors have declared facing workforce shortages (27%), a share that has gone back below its long-term average.

Once again, fewer companies than in the previous month have reported facing only supply difficulties (22%), and slightly more have reported facing only demand difficulties (20%).

Type of difficulties encountered by companies

Type of difficulties encountered by companies
Demand difficulties only Supply difficulties only
2025-02 19.5 22.4
2025-01 17.8 23.8
2024-12 18.3 23.9
2024-11 19.6 24.2
2024-10 17.3 26.2
2024-09 17.8 25.2
2024-08 16.2 27.1
2024-07 13.7 28.4
2024-06 16.5 30.3
2024-05 15.3 29.3
2024-04 13.8 29.6
2024-03 13.1 28.9
2024-02 12.9 31.0
2024-01 12.4 31.7
2023-12 14.2 31.2
2023-11 12.5 32.7
2023-10 9.6 36.2
2023-09 9.8 37.9
2023-08 9.7 39.3
2023-07 8.6 39.0
2023-06 9.3 41.1
2023-05 7.8 41.6
2023-04 7.1 43.8
2023-03 7.3 42.9
2023-02 6.2 46.1
2023-01 5.8 46.6
2022-12 4.7 48.0
2022-11 4.7 49.4
2022-10 4.8 52.9
2022-09 5.3 49.8
2022-08 6.1 51.7
2022-07 6.8 51.6
2022-06 4.4 51.3
2022-05 4.2 54.3
2022-04 4.5 53.5
2022-03 6.1 54.0
2022-02 5.5 50.4
2022-01 6.9 53.1
2021-12 6.5 56.3
2021-11 8.3 51.6
2021-10 6.3 51.5
2021-09 8.4 50.8
2021-08 9.2 51.5
2021-07 8.1 48.8
2021-06 9.0 45.6
2021-05 10.5 41.6
2021-04 12.5 41.0
2021-03 12.6 39.0
2021-02 13.9 35.2
2021-01 13.0 34.2
2020-12 12.4 32.2
2020-11 15.4 38.4
2020-10 14.2 36.3
2020-09 14.3 36.1
2020-08 13.7 37.4
2020-07 13.0 38.3
2020-06 11.7 43.9
2020-05 3.4 56.9
2020-04 2.1 63.9
2020-03 7.8 41.6
2020-02 10.2 41.9
2020-01 10.6 43.1
2019-12 11.0 42.4
2019-11 11.0 41.3
2019-10 11.0 45.9
2019-09 11.2 44.9
2019-08 11.3 44.3
2019-07 11.3 45.1
2019-06 10.8 43.4
2019-05 11.5 42.0
2019-04 11.3 41.2
2019-03 13.8 40.4
2019-02 14.0 41.0
2019-01 12.0 37.3
2018-12 16.0 40.7
2018-11 15.6 37.9
2018-10 17.4 36.1
2018-09 17.2 36.3
2018-08 16.7 35.3
2018-07 16.4 34.3
2018-06 18.7 34.5
2018-05 18.6 33.0
2018-04 16.2 35.0
2018-03 18.9 30.6
2018-02 18.8 29.5
2018-01 20.4 28.7
2017-12 20.6 28.8
2017-11 22.0 28.4
2017-10 21.2 26.3
2017-09 20.9 23.7
2017-08 23.7 23.0
2017-07 22.3 22.8
2017-06 25.5 20.4
2017-05 27.2 22.0
2017-04 28.6 19.5
2017-03 27.1 18.7
2017-02 26.7 17.5
2017-01 28.1 18.4
2016-12 31.4 18.1
2016-11 31.5 17.2
2016-10 32.9 16.2
2016-09 34.0 16.7
2016-08 33.4 16.1
2016-07 34.9 13.8
2016-06 36.6 14.3
2016-05 37.8 13.3
2016-04 37.3 13.4
2016-03 38.2 15.7
2016-02 37.0 14.5
2016-01 38.6 12.6
2015-12 40.0 13.5
2015-11 39.5 13.1
2015-10 39.9 13.9
2015-09 38.4 13.8
2015-08 35.9 14.5
2015-07 37.6 12.8
2015-06 37.7 13.5
2015-05 37.7 12.5
2015-04 37.6 11.5
2015-03 38.5 12.9
2015-02 37.5 12.9
2015-01 38.7 12.8
2014-12 39.3 13.7
2014-11 36.5 13.7
2014-10 37.5 15.0
2014-09 33.6 14.6
2014-08 32.3 15.7
2014-07 32.8 15.3
2014-06 32.8 15.0
2014-05 31.9 15.8
2014-04 31.2 15.3
2014-03 31.3 16.0
2014-02 32.6 16.1
2014-01 31.3 18.3
2013-12 32.5 19.0
2013-11 32.6 17.3
2013-10 31.8 18.3
2013-09 30.3 19.3
2013-08 29.2 19.2
2013-07 27.4 18.9
2013-06 27.9 18.6
2013-05 29.0 17.3
2013-04 28.8 17.0
2013-03 28.2 17.8
2013-02 26.6 17.4
2013-01 27.0 18.4
2012-12 27.4 15.6
2012-11 27.1 16.2
2012-10 28.6 18.3
2012-09 27.2 17.5
2012-08 27.4 17.9
2012-07 22.5 20.0
2012-06 24.1 19.4
2012-05 28.1 20.1
2012-04 25.3 21.9
2012-03 22.1 21.3
2012-02 12.0 9.6
2012-01 16.9 12.0
2011-12 14.0 10.4
2011-11 16.0 10.8
2011-10 17.7 12.4
2011-09 14.1 8.4
2011-08 15.3 10.2
2011-07 17.8 11.5
2011-06 13.9 9.8
2011-05 14.9 10.6
2011-04 20.6 13.7
2011-03 15.5 10.3
2011-02 14.8 12.2
2011-01 16.2 13.2
2010-12 17.0 11.5
2010-11 18.8 10.7
2010-10 20.8 11.7
2010-09 19.1 11.9
2010-08 19.5 11.6
2010-07 24.7 10.8
2010-06 22.7 7.4
2010-05 24.7 9.4
2010-04 27.6 9.9
2010-03 23.3 9.9
2010-02 23.5 9.0
2010-01 25.6 10.2
2009-12 26.9 9.3
2009-11 26.4 9.7
2009-10 25.2 9.1
2009-09 25.9 9.5
2009-08 27.4 9.6
2009-07 26.6 9.3
2009-06 26.0 7.9
2009-05 25.4 8.6
2009-04 25.6 10.1
2009-03 18.4 9.1
2009-02 20.2 11.3
2009-01 17.1 16.9
2008-12 15.3 12.3
2008-11 14.5 15.9
2008-10 12.2 21.0
2008-09 9.6 21.5
2008-08 7.6 24.3
2008-07 7.3 30.3
2008-06 6.3 26.7
2008-05 6.6 29.9
2008-04 5.6 36.8
2008-03 5.0 32.7
2008-02 4.9 33.2
2008-01 4.8 43.8
2007-12 4.7 36.3
2007-11 4.3 39.6
2007-10 5.0 45.3
2007-09 3.5 41.4
2007-08 4.0 45.6
2007-07 4.6 49.8
2007-06 4.5 46.5
2007-05 5.8 55.3
2007-04 7.3 49.7
2007-03 7.7 48.6
2007-02 4.7 51.0
2007-01 5.6 49.8
2006-12 5.4 51.8
2006-11 9.0 49.0
2006-10 9.7 50.3
2006-09 7.5 46.9
2006-08 6.9 48.4
2006-07 6.4 50.0
2006-06 7.0 47.6
2006-05 7.4 47.8
2006-04 7.5 49.0
2006-03 8.6 46.2
2006-02 10.2 45.3
2006-01 10.0 46.6
2005-12 11.4 45.8
2005-11 11.2 44.4
2005-10 9.7 46.4
2005-09 10.2 45.8
2005-08 10.5 45.3
2005-07 10.8 44.7
2005-06 11.4 44.1
2005-05 12.1 39.6
2005-04 11.6 39.9
2005-03 12.6 40.0
2005-02 14.0 37.2
2005-01 13.2 38.0

Type of difficulties encountered by companies

  • Source: INSEE.

The balance of opinion on expected prices has decreased again

In February 2025, the balance of opinion on expected prices has retreated anew, moving closer to its long-term average.

Opinion on expected workforce size has deteriorated

In February 2025, business managers’ opinion regarding the evolution of their expected workforce size has deteriorated: the corresponding balance has retreated and returned below its long-term average. The balance relative to past workforce size has improved slightly, coming back to its long-term average.

Workforce size tendency in building construction

Workforce size tendency in building construction
Expected workforce size Past workforce size
2025-02 -1.6 -4.5
2025-01 1.5 -6.1
2024-12 0.0 -5.0
2024-11 2.6 -1.9
2024-10 3.0 -4.0
2024-09 1.7 -9.6
2024-08 1.2 -6.5
2024-07 1.8 -1.9
2024-06 3.7 -1.9
2024-05 3.8 -5.1
2024-04 5.7 -2.8
2024-03 3.7 -2.6
2024-02 4.5 -3.1
2024-01 4.4 -1.7
2023-12 3.6 -3.2
2023-11 3.6 -2.4
2023-10 7.8 -2.3
2023-09 8.8 0.9
2023-08 6.6 0.7
2023-07 8.4 2.5
2023-06 8.2 1.0
2023-05 8.5 -1.9
2023-04 9.7 -1.1
2023-03 11.9 2.2
2023-02 12.4 3.6
2023-01 13.0 3.6
2022-12 14.5 4.4
2022-11 15.1 4.5
2022-10 16.5 6.5
2022-09 14.3 0.0
2022-08 18.2 -1.5
2022-07 15.0 0.0
2022-06 12.4 1.0
2022-05 16.4 4.6
2022-04 16.3 6.8
2022-03 16.7 0.4
2022-02 17.4 2.1
2022-01 16.2 3.1
2021-12 18.3 5.6
2021-11 17.8 3.4
2021-10 15.6 4.3
2021-09 15.3 3.6
2021-08 16.5 3.6
2021-07 15.3 4.4
2021-06 17.1 2.3
2021-05 17.3 -1.8
2021-04 14.3 2.1
2021-03 12.7 -1.2
2021-02 7.2 -6.9
2021-01 5.1 -3.8
2020-12 7.4 -4.1
2020-11 3.3 -6.0
2020-10 4.0 -7.2
2020-09 2.6 -6.8
2020-08 0.4 -12.0
2020-07 4.2 -17.2
2020-06 -3.3 -21.8
2020-05 -17.8 -17.5
2020-04 -18.2 0.2
2020-03 11.8 6.9
2020-02 16.1 8.0
2020-01 14.5 6.5
2019-12 12.1 4.4
2019-11 14.3 4.3
2019-10 12.5 5.6
2019-09 13.5 5.3
2019-08 10.6 6.6
2019-07 9.6 4.6
2019-06 10.3 5.2
2019-05 13.2 5.9
2019-04 13.1 3.8
2019-03 12.3 5.9
2019-02 14.8 5.7
2019-01 5.9 1.7
2018-12 13.2 4.9
2018-11 12.6 9.1
2018-10 10.5 4.8
2018-09 14.9 4.9
2018-08 15.0 4.0
2018-07 16.7 4.6
2018-06 10.7 4.3
2018-05 9.6 6.7
2018-04 11.3 3.8
2018-03 13.0 1.0
2018-02 4.2 -4.7
2018-01 8.8 -1.5
2017-12 11.3 6.8
2017-11 0.8 -5.8
2017-10 4.8 -5.2
2017-09 2.0 -6.7
2017-08 2.1 -7.4
2017-07 5.7 -2.2
2017-06 2.7 -6.5
2017-05 -1.3 -8.2
2017-04 -5.2 -15.4
2017-03 -6.5 -11.1
2017-02 -9.0 -13.4
2017-01 -7.2 -14.3
2016-12 -8.3 -15.2
2016-11 -11.2 -14.7
2016-10 -8.3 -17.4
2016-09 -10.5 -18.5
2016-08 -13.2 -20.9
2016-07 -17.2 -21.0
2016-06 -16.4 -23.8
2016-05 -15.9 -24.0
2016-04 -17.9 -23.5
2016-03 -20.4 -27.1
2016-02 -20.8 -25.8
2016-01 -20.3 -24.7
2015-12 -23.3 -27.4
2015-11 -21.3 -28.3
2015-10 -23.2 -26.6
2015-09 -22.1 -24.9
2015-08 -23.2 -25.1
2015-07 -24.7 -28.7
2015-06 -19.9 -26.4
2015-05 -27.3 -29.9
2015-04 -27.3 -34.5
2015-03 -25.3 -26.7
2015-02 -24.5 -24.9
2015-01 -29.4 -29.3
2014-12 -24.3 -25.7
2014-11 -22.5 -24.8
2014-10 -26.0 -28.6
2014-09 -28.1 -28.7
2014-08 -26.9 -26.6
2014-07 -22.1 -25.5
2014-06 -23.4 -26.4
2014-05 -19.2 -15.4
2014-04 -19.3 -22.7
2014-03 -18.5 -18.6
2014-02 -21.1 -19.7
2014-01 -19.5 -19.0
2013-12 -17.7 -16.7
2013-11 -16.7 -18.1
2013-10 -10.4 -13.4
2013-09 -14.8 -18.5
2013-08 -16.0 -19.8
2013-07 -17.9 -18.2
2013-06 -18.2 -18.4
2013-05 -19.0 -16.1
2013-04 -13.5 -14.1
2013-03 -18.0 -17.9
2013-02 -15.9 -17.1
2013-01 -15.6 -14.4
2012-12 -16.2 -13.3
2012-11 -14.9 -10.7
2012-10 -14.7 -10.0
2012-09 -16.7 -15.8
2012-08 -14.7 -11.2
2012-07 -15.3 -11.9
2012-06 -11.3 -7.6
2012-05 -12.6 -8.9
2012-04 -9.3 -8.7
2012-03 -9.1 -6.9
2012-02 -3.9 -5.5
2012-01 -3.7 -4.2
2011-12 -5.3 -6.4
2011-11 -7.4 -8.7
2011-10 -6.2 -2.2
2011-09 -0.8 2.6
2011-08 3.4 3.8
2011-07 7.7 3.3
2011-06 6.8 3.3
2011-05 7.3 -0.3
2011-04 4.9 0.2
2011-03 3.6 -3.1
2011-02 3.1 -5.1
2011-01 -1.3 -4.2
2010-12 -1.7 -4.4
2010-11 -3.8 -7.6
2010-10 -7.8 -11.9
2010-09 -7.7 -11.0
2010-08 -11.3 -12.0
2010-07 -13.4 -10.8
2010-06 -15.4 -15.8
2010-05 -14.6 -14.0
2010-04 -14.0 -16.6
2010-03 -13.1 -16.8
2010-02 -15.8 -17.2
2010-01 -12.8 -18.3
2009-12 -14.5 -18.8
2009-11 -15.3 -18.8
2009-10 -15.9 -19.2
2009-09 -17.1 -19.1
2009-08 -19.0 -19.2
2009-07 -20.3 -20.7
2009-06 -20.1 -17.9
2009-05 -20.2 -17.9
2009-04 -20.9 -18.5
2009-03 -22.4 -12.8
2009-02 -17.9 -8.2
2009-01 -16.9 -8.7
2008-12 -12.5 -2.3
2008-11 -8.7 -0.9
2008-10 -1.4 5.8
2008-09 4.8 5.9
2008-08 9.5 9.3
2008-07 11.9 13.4
2008-06 13.8 13.6
2008-05 15.5 12.9
2008-04 23.1 21.1
2008-03 22.3 23.0
2008-02 15.9 21.4
2008-01 19.9 22.6
2007-12 21.5 21.0
2007-11 26.7 21.7
2007-10 23.1 16.6
2007-09 24.2 22.1
2007-08 24.6 21.8
2007-07 25.4 21.6
2007-06 28.6 23.4
2007-05 25.5 20.2
2007-04 22.9 20.6
2007-03 24.6 20.5
2007-02 25.3 21.4
2007-01 27.0 19.2
2006-12 26.3 18.5
2006-11 23.8 19.8
2006-10 26.1 21.6
2006-09 24.4 21.7
2006-08 22.2 21.1
2006-07 20.3 20.4
2006-06 21.8 17.9
2006-05 20.5 18.2
2006-04 18.2 16.0
2006-03 19.3 13.3
2006-02 20.2 19.9
2006-01 18.4 18.9
2005-12 17.0 12.7
2005-11 19.5 11.4
2005-10 15.9 9.7
2005-09 13.7 7.9
2005-08 15.2 6.0
2005-07 16.9 3.9
2005-06 14.0 8.1
2005-05 14.2 6.7
2005-04 15.2 6.9
2005-03 12.5 5.5
2005-02 9.5 0.0
2005-01 9.2 0.7

Workforce size tendency in building construction

  • Source: INSEE.

Revisions

The business climate in the building construction industry of January 2025 has been revised upward by one point (after rounding) due to the inclusion of late responses from companies.

For further information

For questions with three possible answers, a balance of opinion is calculated as the difference between the percentage of “above the normal” or “increase” responses and the percentage of “below the normal” or “decrease” responses.

The responses to this survey were collected between 27 January and 18 February 2025; most companies answer during the first two weeks of collection.

All the balances of opinion from this survey are included in this publication and are available in the complementary chronological series published online.

This survey is part of the Joint Harmonised European Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys, partly funded by the European Commission.

Additional information (simplified and detailed methodology, nomenclature, etc.) are available on the “Documentation” tab of the web page of this publication.

Next issue: 21 March 2025 at 8:45 am.

Pour en savoir plus

For questions with three possible answers, a balance of opinion is calculated as the difference between the percentage of “above the normal” or “increase” responses and the percentage of “below the normal” or “decrease” responses.

The responses to this survey were collected between 27 January and 18 February 2025; most companies answer during the first two weeks of collection.

All the balances of opinion from this survey are included in this publication and are available in the complementary chronological series published online.

This survey is part of the Joint Harmonised European Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys, partly funded by the European Commission.

Additional information (simplified and detailed methodology, nomenclature, etc.) are available on the “Documentation” tab of the web page of this publication.

Next issue: 21 March 2025 at 8:45 am.

: bureau-de-presse@insee.fr