Informations Rapides · 26 January 2021 · n° 022

In January 2021, the opinion of business managers in civil engineering on their activity prospects has improved slightly Quaterly survey of public works - January 2021

In January 2021, the business managers are slightly less pessimistic about their activity prospects for the next three months than they were in last October.

In January 2021, more business managers than in October have indicated an expected increase in their activity for the next three months. The corresponding balance of opinion has increased but remains below its long-term average. It has recovered quite strongly for the private-sector clients but remains virtually stable for the public-sector clients.

The business managers have indicated a relative weakening in their recent activity: after a rebound in October 2020 in comparison to the very low point of July, the corresponding balance of opinion has fallen back slightly in January 2021. It has returned slightly below its long-term average. This balance has fallen for both private-sector clients and public-sector ones. However, the balance related to private-sector clients remains above its long-term average.

In January 2021, the business managers continue to consider that their order books are rather poorly filled: the corresponding balance of opinion has risen slightly but remains at a very low level, well below its long-term average.

In January 2021, the obstacles to production due to workforce shortage are as significant as in October 2020. 20% of firms have reported being hampered because of workforce shortage. This share, above its long-term average, is however half of what it was in January 2020 (40%).

In January 2021, more business managers than in October 2020 have planed to increase their workforce in the next three months. The corresponding balance stands above its long-term average. It remains nevertheless well below its level before the onset of the health crisis.