25 October 2013
2013- n° 247The economic climate shows a slight improvement in the building crafts sector, in
October 2013 Quarterly survey of the building crafts sector - October 2013
In October 2013, fewer craftsmen than in July indicate a decrease in their past activity and in their expected activity. The corresponding balance of opinion stays significantly below its long-term average.
The business outlook is improving
In October 2013, fewer craftsmen than in July indicate a decrease in their past activity and in their expected activity. The corresponding balance of opinion stays significantly below its long-term average.
The general business outlook, which expresses the craftsmen’s opinion on the overall change in the sector, improves sharply compare to the previous quarters, even if the corresponding balance of opinion remains below its long-term average.
Decreasing employment
According to the craftsmen, the workforce size declined last quarter: the corresponding balance of opinion stays below its long-term average. The employment shrinkage may ease in the next quarter.
Recruiting problems are almost stable
Recruiting problems concerned around one firm out of four. This proportion remains sharply inferior to its long-term average. The rate of businesses training apprentices has declined to reach 36 %.
graphiqueActivity – Activity tendency in the building crafts sector
tableautableau1 – Building crafts sector economic outlook
| Mean* | Jan. 13 | April 13 | July 13 | Oct. 13 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Past activity | –4 | –22 | –27 | –29 | –25 |
| Expected activity | –8 | –27 | –30 | –28 | –23 |
| General business outlook | –20 | –51 | –52 | –50 | –34 |
| Past employment | –3 | –8 | –8 | –11 | –14 |
| Expected employment | –3 | –15 | –15 | –14 | –8 |
| Recruiting problems (in %) | 42 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 |
| Apprentice training (in %) | 38 | 41 | 40 | 39 | 36 |
- * Mean since October 1990.
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