Informations Rapides ·
25 July 2023 · n° 187
In July 2023, the business climate has deteriorated in the building craft sector Quarterly survey of the building crafts sector - July 2023
The response rate to this survey, although comparable to that of the previous quarter, remains low. The statistics published in this issue of “Informations Rapides” are therefore less accurate than those from business surveys in other sectors. They are thus more likely to be revised in the next publication.
The activity outlooks have darkened
In July 2023, the business climate in the building craft sector has deteriorated, for both the past and expected activity. The corresponding balances of opinion have clearly dropped and have moved below their long term average.
Craftsmen’s opinion regarding the change in the general prospect of the sector has also dipped and remains below its long term average.
Building craftsmen’s opinion regarding the change in their workforce size has slightly improved
In July 2023, craftsmen’s opinion on the evolution of their past workforce size has degraded again. They are however more optimistic regarding the expected evolution of their workforce size: the corresponding balance of opinion has slightly rebounded.
Recruitment difficulties remain significant
In July 2023, 55% of craftsmen have reported experiencing recruiting difficulties, a proportion that has decreased slightly compared to April but remains well above its long-term average.
The share of building craftsmen declaring that they are training apprentices is stable, at its long term average’s level (38%).
tableauBuilding crafts sector economic outlook
| Mean* | Oct. 22 | Jan. 23 | Apr. 23 | Jul. 23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Past activity | -5 | 0 | -2 | 8 | -7 |
| Expected activity | -8 | -4 | -9 | -4 | -9 |
| General business outlook | -18 | -16 | -22 | -20 | -32 |
| Past employment | -4 | -4 | -4 | -9 | -12 |
| Expected employment | -3 | -1 | -3 | -5 | -1 |
| Recruiting problems (in %) | 43 | 63 | 58 | 58 | 55 |
| Apprentice training (in %) | 38 | 42 | 40 | 38 | 38 |
- * Mean since October 1990.
- Source: French business survey, building crafts sector - INSEE
tableauActivity tendency in the building crafts sector
| Expected activity | Past activity | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q3 | -9.2 | -6.5 |
| 2023-Q2 | -4.2 | 7.7 |
| 2023-Q1 | -9.5 | -1.8 |
| 2022-Q4 | -4.3 | 0.0 |
| 2022-Q3 | -5.7 | -2.1 |
| 2022-Q2 | 2.7 | 0.1 |
| 2022-Q1 | 13.7 | 4.9 |
| 2021-Q4 | 5.3 | 8.0 |
| 2021-Q3 | 13.5 | 7.2 |
| 2021-Q2 | 8.1 | 3.1 |
| 2021-Q1 | -4.7 | -16.9 |
| 2020-Q4 | -0.5 | 5.0 |
| 2020-Q3 | -13.2 | -46.3 |
| 2020-Q2 | NaN | NaN |
| 2020-Q1 | 6.2 | -8.5 |
| 2019-Q4 | -3.1 | 2.1 |
| 2019-Q3 | -5.2 | 6.5 |
| 2019-Q2 | -2.2 | -3.8 |
| 2019-Q1 | -5.7 | -12.5 |
| 2018-Q4 | -2.9 | -1.7 |
| 2018-Q3 | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| 2018-Q2 | -2.7 | 5.3 |
| 2018-Q1 | 11.1 | 6.4 |
| 2017-Q4 | 2.9 | -3.7 |
| 2017-Q3 | -3.7 | 1.5 |
| 2017-Q2 | -1.9 | 0.6 |
| 2017-Q1 | -1.6 | -3.7 |
| 2016-Q4 | -8.4 | -5.7 |
| 2016-Q3 | -8.0 | -12.2 |
| 2016-Q2 | -16.6 | -15.2 |
| 2016-Q1 | -16.3 | -9.5 |
| 2015-Q4 | -17.1 | -19.6 |
| 2015-Q3 | -22.2 | -14.9 |
| 2015-Q2 | -30.0 | -29.7 |
| 2015-Q1 | -32.4 | -29.8 |
| 2014-Q4 | -33.8 | -24.5 |
| 2014-Q3 | -29.6 | -31.7 |
| 2014-Q2 | -26.1 | -22.2 |
| 2014-Q1 | -28.1 | -25.1 |
| 2013-Q4 | -24.1 | -24.3 |
| 2013-Q3 | -28.6 | -28.6 |
| 2013-Q2 | -31.7 | -27.3 |
| 2013-Q1 | -24.7 | -24.1 |
| 2012-Q4 | -39.4 | -26.0 |
| 2012-Q3 | -25.8 | -18.2 |
| 2012-Q2 | -21.2 | -15.4 |
| 2012-Q1 | -22.6 | -11.2 |
| 2011-Q4 | -17.6 | -14.1 |
| 2011-Q3 | -11.7 | -9.3 |
| 2011-Q2 | -7.2 | -6.5 |
| 2011-Q1 | -8.5 | -15.4 |
| 2010-Q4 | -6.2 | -9.5 |
| 2010-Q3 | -14.6 | -18.6 |
| 2010-Q2 | -19.1 | -21.4 |
| 2010-Q1 | -17.4 | -20.2 |
| 2009-Q4 | -20.9 | -21.9 |
| 2009-Q3 | -30.3 | -29.4 |
| 2009-Q2 | -25.8 | -15.6 |
| 2009-Q1 | -36.7 | -34.5 |
| 2008-Q4 | -35.3 | -24.2 |
| 2008-Q3 | -14.4 | -16.0 |
| 2008-Q2 | -8.8 | -11.9 |
| 2008-Q1 | 12.9 | -7.3 |
| 2007-Q4 | 5.1 | -2.8 |
| 2007-Q3 | 5.5 | 6.1 |
| 2007-Q2 | 1.5 | 2.7 |
| 2007-Q1 | 4.9 | 6.9 |
- Data for the second quarter of 2020 are not available as the survey was canceled in the context of the health crisis.
graphiqueActivity tendency in the building crafts sector
- Data for the second quarter of 2020 are not available as the survey was canceled in the context of the health crisis.
- Source: INSEE.
Revisions
The balances of opinion for April 2023 have been revised, especially the one on the evolution of expected activity (revised downwards by 3 points), due to the integration of late responses from companies.
For further information
A balance of opinion is calculated as the difference between the percentage of “higher than usual” or “increase” responses and the percentage of “lower than usual” or “decrease” responses.
The responses to this survey have been collected between 26 June 2023 and 20 July 2023.
Additional information (simplified and detailed methodology, nomenclature, etc.) is available on the “Documentation” tab of this page.
Next issue: 24 October 2023 at 12:00 pm.
Pour en savoir plus
A balance of opinion is calculated as the difference between the percentage of “higher than usual” or “increase” responses and the percentage of “lower than usual” or “decrease” responses.
The responses to this survey have been collected between 26 June 2023 and 20 July 2023.
Additional information (simplified and detailed methodology, nomenclature, etc.) is available on the “Documentation” tab of this page.
Next issue: 24 October 2023 at 12:00 pm.