Informations Rapides · 26 April 2022 · n° 106

In April 2022, the business managers of small building firms are much less optimistic than in January about their activity prospects Quarterly survey of the building crafts sector - April 2022

The opinion of the business managers of small building firms on their activity for the next three months has strongly degraded between January and April 2022: the corresponding balance of opinion has gone back clearly but remains however above its long-term average. Likewise, the craftsmen in the building sector are far less confident than in January about the general business outlook for the sector: the related balance of opinion has withdrawn strongly, but remains above its long-term average.

The opinion of craftsmen on the change in their activity over the past three months has deteriorated too: the corresponding balance has fallen again and has got closer to its long-term average.

In April 2022, somewhat fewer craftsmen than in January 2022 have reported that they had increased their workforce size over the past three months: the corresponding balance of opinion has folded back a little but remains slightly above its long-term average. The balance relating to the expected change in workforce size over the next three months has degraded again but stands above its average too.

In April 2022, 64% of the business managers of small building firms have reported experiencing recruiting difficulties. At its highest level in January 2022, this proportion has decreased but remains at a very high level in April. At the same time, 36% of the building craftsmen have declared they are training apprentices. This share is down sharply compared to January and stands slightly below its average.