Informations Rapides · 24 October 2025 · n° 268

In October 2025, difficulties due to a lack of demand have increased sharply in the public works sector Quaterly survey of public works - October 2025

In October 2025, civil engineering business managers’ opinion on their past activity has bounced back and has returned to the level last observed in April. They consider their order books to be less depleted than in July, but report a sharp increase in perceived economic uncertainty. They once again expect a decline in activity over the next three months. One in two companies considers that a lack of demand is the main constraint to their activity, a proportion not seen since 2016.

In October 2025, entrepreneurs’ opinion on their activity over the past three months has rebounded after its drop in July: the balance has gone back above its long-term average and has returned to its levels of April and January 2025. Among the entrepreneurs distinguishing their type of clientele (private or public), both balances have increased sharply, with an even stronger rise among those serving public clients.

Regarding expected activity over the next three months, business managers express a slightly more pessimistic view than in the previous quarter: the corresponding balance of opinion, which has been decreasing almost continuously since April 2024, has moved further away from its long-term average. For those distinguishing their type of clientele, the balance of opinion on expected activity for public clients has decreased again, while it has resumed its growth for private clients. Both stand below their long-term average.

The balance of opinion on economic uncertainty felt by entrepreneurs has increased sharply and risen back well above its long-term average, reaching its highest level since April 2022.

In October 2025, the balance of opinion relating to the level of order books of business managers in the sector has increased and has returned above its long-term average. Among those who distinguish their type of clientele, this balance has decreased particularly sharply for orders from public-sector clients and has fallen back below its average. The balance relating to private-sector clients has improved slightly, reaching its average level.

The balance of opinion on payment delays has rebounded sharply after two consecutive quarters of decline, thus going back above its long-term average.

In October 2025, the balance of opinion regarding the evolution of the workforce size over the next three months is virtually stable, following a sharp decline in July, and remains above its long-term average.

In October 2025, the share of companies reporting that they are facing demand constraints has sharply bounced back: at 50%, it stands well above its long-term average, at a level not seen since 2016. 29% of companies report difficulties linked to a lack of manpower: this proportion, smaller than in July, is continuing on the downward trend that started in July 2023, but is still hovering well above its long-term average.