Informations Rapides · 27 January 2026 · n° 21

In January 2026, activity prospects have deteriorated sharply in the public works sector Quaterly survey of public works - January 2026

In January 2026, civil engineering business managers’ opinion on their past activity has deteriorated strongly, reaching a level unobserved since 2015 (excluding the COVID 19 pandemic). Their opinion regarding their past activity has also fallen back sharply. They also consider their order books to be markedly less full than in October 2025.

In January 2026, entrepreneurs’ opinion on their activity over the past three months has fallen back sharply: the balance of opinion has gone back below its long-term average. Among the entrepreneurs distinguishing their type of clientele (private or public), both balances have strongly resumed declining, even more sharply among public clients. Both have moved back below their long-term average.

Regarding expected activity over the next three months, business managers are way more pessimistic than in the previous quarter: the corresponding balance of opinion, which had been almost stable in 2025, has deviated sharply away from its long-term average and has returned to its lowest level since July 2015 (excluding the COVID 19 pandemic). For those distinguishing their type of clientele, the balance of opinion relating to public clients has decreased strongly, moving away from its long-term average. The balance relating to private clients has also fallen back sharply, and has moved away from its long-term average, which it had nearly regained in October 2025.

The balance of opinion on economic uncertainty felt by entrepreneurs is stable, well above its long-term average. It remains at its highest level since April 2022.

In January 2026, the balance of opinion relating to the level of order books of business managers in the sector has decreased strongly and has returned well below its long-term average. It has reached a level unobserved since October 2016 (excluding the COVID 19 pandemic). Among those who distinguish their type of clientele, this balance has decreased again, particularly sharply for orders from public-sector clients, and has deviated from its average. The balance relating to private-sector clients has fallen back, more moderately, and has departed from its average level.

The balance of opinion on payment delays has retreated sharply and moved back below its long-term average.

In January 2026, the balance of opinion regarding the evolution of the workforce size over the next three months has increased slightly and has moved away from its long-term average.

In January 2026, the share of companies reporting that they are facing demand constraints is virtually stable: at 49%, it still stands well above its long-term average, after reaching last October its highest level since 2016 (including the COVID 19 pandemic). 29% of companies report difficulties linked to a lack of manpower: this proportion remains stable, well above its long-term average.