Informations Rapides · 25 January 2022 · n° 23

In January 2022, the opinion of the business managers in civil engineering on their incoming activity has deteriorated Quaterly survey of public works - January 2022

In January 2022, the business managers in civil engineering are in average more pessimistic about their expected activity than they were last October. However they are more positive than in October about the trend in their activity over the past three months.

In January 2022, fewer business managers than in October have expected an increase in their activity for the next three months: the corresponding balance of opinion has fallen back clearly, roughly returning to its level of July 2021. It stands nevertheless well above its long-term average. In detail, the balance of opinion concerning incoming activity for the public sector has withdrawn more strongly than that for the private sector. Both remain above their long-term average.

Conversely, the opinion of business managers on their activity over the past three months has improved, in accordance with what they were expecting last October. The related balance of opinion has recovered and has gone back above its long-term average. In particular, both balances related to past activity for public and private customers have improved. The one regarding past activity for public customers remains below its average, whereas the one related to private customers has fluctuated above its own.

Overall, somewhat fewer business managers than in the previous quarter find it difficult for them to predict the development in their business situation: the balance of opinion on economic uncertainty has fallen back moderately in January 2022.

In January 2022, fewer business managers than in October consider that the level of their order books is higher than usual for the season: the corresponding balance of opinion has shrunk while remaining well above its long-term average.

In January 2022, difficulties due to a lack of manpower have kept growing. Since last spring, more and more companies have reported being hampered by a lack of manpower: in January 2022, 44% of them are reporting it. This proportion, much higher than its long-term average (17%), exceeds its pre-crisis level (40% in January 2020).

In January 2022, as many business managers as in October have planned to increase their workforce over the next three months. The corresponding balance is virtually stable at a high level, far above its long-term average.