Insee
Informations Rapides · 19 December 2024 · n° 317
Informations rapidesIn December 2024, the business climate in building construction has darkened Monthly survey of building - December 2024

According to business managers surveyed in December 2024, the business climate in building construction has darkened again. At 98, the synthetic indicator has lost one point and has now reached its lowest level since July 2020, below its long-term average (100). This deterioration in opinion affects almost all balances, most notably those regarding activity and workforce, but also the production capacity rate, which has dropped markedly.

Informations rapides
No 317
Paru le :Paru le19/12/2024
Prochaine parution le : 20/06/2025 at 08:45 - June 2025

According to business managers surveyed in December 2024, the business climate in building construction has darkened again. At 98, the synthetic indicator has lost one point and has now reached its lowest level since July 2020, below its long-term average (100). This deterioration in opinion affects almost all balances, most notably those regarding activity and workforce, but also the production capacity rate, which has dropped markedly.

Business climate composite indicator

Business climate composite indicator
Business climate composite indicator
2024-12 98.3
2024-11 99.2
2024-10 99.8
2024-09 99.8
2024-08 100.6
2024-07 98.7
2024-06 100.0
2024-05 101.8
2024-04 100.7
2024-03 102.7
2024-02 102.8
2024-01 102.6
2023-12 101.8
2023-11 102.9
2023-10 103.7
2023-09 105.0
2023-08 105.4
2023-07 105.1
2023-06 105.7
2023-05 106.6
2023-04 107.8
2023-03 107.8
2023-02 108.8
2023-01 109.6
2022-12 110.2
2022-11 109.4
2022-10 110.7
2022-09 109.1
2022-08 109.5
2022-07 109.4
2022-06 109.3
2022-05 109.7
2022-04 110.7
2022-03 111.1
2022-02 110.8
2022-01 109.3
2021-12 112.5
2021-11 111.2
2021-10 110.7
2021-09 111.3
2021-08 111.2
2021-07 111.2
2021-06 111.0
2021-05 110.0
2021-04 108.0
2021-03 106.8
2021-02 103.3
2021-01 103.4
2020-12 102.4
2020-11 100.5
2020-10 106.0
2020-09 103.7
2020-08 102.3
2020-07 96.8
2020-06 89.1
2020-05 78.2
2020-04 80.3
2020-03 109.5
2020-02 110.7
2020-01 109.3
2019-12 108.6
2019-11 109.4
2019-10 110.7
2019-09 110.2
2019-08 109.3
2019-07 109.4
2019-06 109.4
2019-05 109.2
2019-04 109.7
2019-03 110.0
2019-02 110.4
2019-01 109.1
2018-12 108.7
2018-11 108.0
2018-10 107.7
2018-09 107.9
2018-08 108.3
2018-07 108.6
2018-06 108.3
2018-05 108.8
2018-04 109.6
2018-03 109.9
2018-02 109.0
2018-01 110.3
2017-12 110.1
2017-11 108.2
2017-10 106.7
2017-09 107.2
2017-08 107.0
2017-07 107.3
2017-06 106.3
2017-05 104.4
2017-04 102.7
2017-03 102.8
2017-02 102.1
2017-01 103.0
2016-12 101.1
2016-11 102.3
2016-10 102.9
2016-09 101.0
2016-08 99.8
2016-07 99.4
2016-06 99.2
2016-05 99.4
2016-04 97.5
2016-03 96.3
2016-02 94.6
2016-01 96.4
2015-12 96.6
2015-11 93.6
2015-10 94.6
2015-09 94.8
2015-08 95.3
2015-07 92.8
2015-06 92.9
2015-05 90.6
2015-04 91.2
2015-03 90.1
2015-02 89.7
2015-01 88.8
2014-12 90.2
2014-11 90.7
2014-10 88.1
2014-09 88.3
2014-08 89.8
2014-07 91.4
2014-06 93.4
2014-05 93.2
2014-04 93.0
2014-03 93.9
2014-02 93.2
2014-01 93.9
2013-12 93.4
2013-11 95.4
2013-10 96.2
2013-09 96.3
2013-08 94.1
2013-07 92.1
2013-06 90.9
2013-05 91.4
2013-04 91.0
2013-03 91.5
2013-02 92.4
2013-01 92.3
2012-12 92.9
2012-11 92.4
2012-10 92.7
2012-09 94.1
2012-08 94.6
2012-07 95.1
2012-06 96.5
2012-05 96.2
2012-04 98.1
2012-03 99.0
2012-02 99.4
2012-01 100.2
2011-12 99.2
2011-11 99.3
2011-10 101.0
2011-09 102.1
2011-08 104.1
2011-07 106.7
2011-06 106.0
2011-05 105.7
2011-04 106.4
2011-03 104.4
2011-02 103.4
2011-01 101.3
2010-12 101.0
2010-11 99.9
2010-10 98.6
2010-09 96.9
2010-08 97.2
2010-07 96.5
2010-06 94.5
2010-05 93.9
2010-04 92.8
2010-03 92.7
2010-02 93.1
2010-01 92.4
2009-12 92.1
2009-11 92.0
2009-10 92.2
2009-09 90.8
2009-08 89.6
2009-07 87.9
2009-06 87.6
2009-05 88.2
2009-04 87.6
2009-03 88.3
2009-02 86.7
2009-01 90.3
2008-12 91.7
2008-11 93.0
2008-10 94.7
2008-09 102.3
2008-08 104.2
2008-07 104.3
2008-06 105.8
2008-05 109.6
2008-04 111.4
2008-03 113.0
2008-02 112.3
2008-01 111.7
2007-12 113.7
2007-11 113.8
2007-10 113.6
2007-09 114.5
2007-08 114.4
2007-07 115.7
2007-06 116.0
2007-05 115.1
2007-04 115.2
2007-03 114.5
2007-02 114.3
2007-01 115.3
2006-12 115.1
2006-11 115.2
2006-10 115.5
2006-09 114.8
2006-08 113.9
2006-07 113.7
2006-06 113.2
2006-05 113.4
2006-04 112.6
2006-03 112.5
2006-02 112.6
2006-01 113.9
2005-12 113.5
2005-11 114.2
2005-10 112.5
2005-09 110.8
2005-08 110.9
2005-07 111.4
2005-06 110.8
2005-05 109.5
2005-04 109.8
2005-03 109.3
2005-02 108.9
2005-01 109.3
2004-12 109.8
2004-11 109.8
2004-10 108.6
2004-09 108.5
2004-08 108.0
2004-07 107.8
2004-06 105.6
2004-05 106.3
2004-04 106.9
2004-03 106.3
2004-02 105.3
2004-01 107.5
2003-12 103.9
2003-11 102.3
2003-10 99.9
2003-09 101.7
2003-08 99.3
2003-07 97.1
2003-06 96.6
2003-05 96.2
2003-04 95.6
2003-03 94.5
2003-02 95.9
2003-01 95.9
2002-12 95.1
2002-11 95.6
2002-10 98.2
2002-09 98.0
2002-08 99.1
2002-07 100.4
2002-06 103.9
2002-05 103.9
2002-04 101.1
2002-03 103.8
2002-02 103.4
2002-01 102.4
2001-12 102.5
2001-11 102.8
2001-10 103.5
2001-09 104.1
2001-08 105.6
2001-07 107.2
2001-06 108.1
2001-05 110.0
2001-04 110.4
2001-03 113.6
2001-02 114.7
2001-01 114.3
2000-12 117.8
2000-11 120.8
2000-10 122.3
2000-09 121.7
2000-08 121.3
2000-07 121.0
2000-06 119.9
2000-05 117.9
2000-04 120.9
2000-03 118.8
2000-02 117.7
2000-01 119.4
1999-12 118.4
1999-11 114.9
1999-10 113.8
1999-09 113.7
1999-08 113.6
1999-07 113.3
1999-06 111.3
1999-05 112.7
1999-04 108.7
1999-03 106.9
1999-02 106.6
1999-01 105.4
1998-12 100.7
1998-11 105.5
1998-10 105.9
1998-09 108.5
1998-08 107.9
1998-07 107.2
1998-06 105.8
1998-05 104.2
1998-04 101.8
1998-03 103.0
1998-02 100.7
1998-01 99.7

Business climate composite indicator

  • Source: INSEE.

Building industry economic outlook

Balances of opinion, in %, SA
Building industry economic outlook (Balances of opinion, in %, SA)
Average* September 24 October 24 November 24 December 24
Composite indicator 100 100 100 99 98
Past activity -3 -11 -9 -14 -15
Expected activity -4 -11 -13 -11 -13
General business outlook **** -15 -22
Past employment -4 -10 -4 -2 -5
Expected employment -1 2 3 3 0
Opinion on order books -21 -27 -30 -27 -30
Order books (in month) 6.1 8.0 7.8 8.0 7.9
Production capacity utilisation rate (in %) 89.0 89.8 89.8 90.0 88.6
Obstacles to production increase (in %) ** 65 59 61 60 60
     Because of an insufficient demand (in %) ** 31 34 34 36 36
     Because of workforce shortage (in %) ** 29 30 31 29 27
     Because of supply difficulties (in %) ** 6 3 2 2 2
Production bottlenecks (in %) 34 39 40 41 37
Recruiting problems (in %) **** 61 72
Expected prices -8 -2 -6 -6 -3
Cash-flow position **** -10 -6
Payment period **** 30 31
Economic uncertainty felt *** 9 11 12 14 13
  • *Average since April 1978 for the composite indicator, since September 1993 for the balances of opinion, since April 2021 for the balances of opinion on the economic uncertainty felt.
  • ** Non-seasonally adjusted percentage of weighted responses.
  • *** Non-seasonally adjusted balance of opinion.
  • **** Balance of opinion from the quarterly section of the survey.
  • Source: INSEE, French business survey in the building industry.

Business managers’ opinion on both their expected and past activity has slightly degraded

In December 2024, business managers of the sector have reported being slightly more pessimistic than in November regarding both their past and expected activity. The two associated balances have dropped and are now particularly degraded, way below their respective long-term average.

Activity tendency in building construction

Activity tendency in building construction
Expected activity Past activity
2024-12 -13.3 -14.6
2024-11 -11.0 -13.5
2024-10 -12.7 -8.7
2024-09 -10.6 -10.7
2024-08 -8.2 -8.7
2024-07 -14.7 -12.0
2024-06 -11.1 -10.2
2024-05 -5.8 -6.3
2024-04 -12.5 -6.6
2024-03 -4.9 -3.8
2024-02 -2.5 -6.6
2024-01 -4.6 -6.4
2023-12 -8.5 -5.5
2023-11 -4.5 -3.8
2023-10 -5.1 -1.5
2023-09 -1.3 0.4
2023-08 1.1 1.2
2023-07 -1.0 0.3
2023-06 0.9 1.3
2023-05 0.9 4.7
2023-04 3.4 5.8
2023-03 2.0 5.8
2023-02 6.0 5.2
2023-01 6.6 7.2
2022-12 8.5 7.9
2022-11 6.0 5.2
2022-10 7.8 9.4
2022-09 6.0 4.6
2022-08 5.9 5.2
2022-07 5.4 6.6
2022-06 4.5 7.9
2022-05 9.1 1.9
2022-04 6.8 10.5
2022-03 10.9 10.9
2022-02 11.3 9.2
2022-01 7.8 4.2
2021-12 18.1 10.4
2021-11 12.3 10.8
2021-10 12.5 9.4
2021-09 14.8 11.8
2021-08 12.1 12.8
2021-07 11.9 14.0
2021-06 11.4 14.3
2021-05 14.5 6.5
2021-04 8.2 5.1
2021-03 7.5 2.0
2021-02 -2.7 -1.7
2021-01 -1.0 -2.0
2020-12 -6.1 -2.0
2020-11 -16.0 0.6
2020-10 1.9 10.1
2020-09 3.5 -3.5
2020-08 13.6 -20.7
2020-07 20.1 -60.8
2020-06 3.6 -80.3
2020-05 -46.6 -76.8
2020-04 -83.5 -24.0
2020-03 6.6 17.1
2020-02 14.2 12.3
2020-01 10.0 9.7
2019-12 9.1 8.8
2019-11 9.2 11.9
2019-10 15.9 13.1
2019-09 12.4 13.3
2019-08 12.1 10.2
2019-07 11.5 12.3
2019-06 14.5 8.9
2019-05 12.7 7.6
2019-04 12.8 10.4
2019-03 14.0 11.0
2019-02 14.7 10.3
2019-01 15.1 7.7
2018-12 11.2 6.5
2018-11 10.6 3.9
2018-10 9.6 4.0
2018-09 9.5 3.1
2018-08 5.6 9.3
2018-07 7.4 7.6
2018-06 12.1 4.7
2018-05 12.9 7.1
2018-04 13.5 9.9
2018-03 11.6 12.7
2018-02 10.8 14.0
2018-01 13.2 14.8
2017-12 14.1 12.7
2017-11 13.9 9.7
2017-10 7.9 5.5
2017-09 9.1 9.1
2017-08 14.5 2.3
2017-07 11.5 4.9
2017-06 3.4 10.9
2017-05 2.1 5.0
2017-04 5.9 -7.1
2017-03 2.6 -1.9
2017-02 -0.5 -1.0
2017-01 -2.8 5.6
2016-12 -0.8 -5.5
2016-11 1.6 0.6
2016-10 3.7 -0.4
2016-09 0.5 -6.1
2016-08 -3.3 -6.7
2016-07 -0.2 -9.8
2016-06 -2.7 -8.6
2016-05 -2.1 -8.1
2016-04 -5.1 -13.6
2016-03 -9.3 -14.1
2016-02 -16.1 -15.2
2016-01 -8.2 -14.6
2015-12 -8.0 -11.7
2015-11 -20.7 -15.3
2015-10 -15.2 -14.5
2015-09 -13.3 -16.9
2015-08 -8.8 -18.1
2015-07 -16.4 -22.2
2015-06 -20.4 -19.9
2015-05 -26.4 -21.7
2015-04 -24.0 -20.8
2015-03 -24.4 -27.6
2015-02 -23.7 -30.3
2015-01 -32.7 -23.0
2014-12 -27.9 -23.1
2014-11 -24.7 -25.3
2014-10 -29.9 -31.8
2014-09 -30.0 -29.7
2014-08 -27.4 -25.0
2014-07 -28.1 -18.2
2014-06 -17.6 -18.2
2014-05 -19.6 -19.0
2014-04 -22.4 -17.5
2014-03 -18.7 -17.3
2014-02 -20.7 -17.4
2014-01 -15.6 -20.7
2013-12 -18.6 -20.2
2013-11 -16.4 -13.0
2013-10 -15.5 -13.3
2013-09 -12.4 -13.2
2013-08 -19.7 -16.7
2013-07 -22.4 -22.2
2013-06 -24.0 -26.5
2013-05 -21.4 -26.7
2013-04 -24.6 -28.1
2013-03 -24.4 -23.9
2013-02 -22.1 -23.3
2013-01 -24.3 -21.6
2012-12 -21.9 -20.5
2012-11 -24.5 -21.2
2012-10 -25.9 -18.3
2012-09 -20.3 -15.0
2012-08 -19.3 -15.2
2012-07 -16.8 -15.0
2012-06 -14.0 -13.5
2012-05 -14.8 -13.4
2012-04 -12.0 -8.6
2012-03 -10.7 -5.6
2012-02 -12.5 -3.8
2012-01 -10.6 -1.6
2011-12 -11.6 -4.4
2011-11 -9.8 -4.3
2011-10 -4.7 -2.2
2011-09 -4.3 -0.7
2011-08 0.8 1.5
2011-07 5.0 8.2
2011-06 4.4 6.3
2011-05 2.0 6.1
2011-04 4.9 8.3
2011-03 2.8 1.6
2011-02 3.0 -3.8
2011-01 -1.0 -8.5
2010-12 -0.9 -7.8
2010-11 -0.5 -12.8
2010-10 -4.2 -13.1
2010-09 -12.7 -13.2
2010-08 -10.3 -12.7
2010-07 -11.4 -14.0
2010-06 -15.2 -17.5
2010-05 -17.6 -20.7
2010-04 -18.1 -25.4
2010-03 -18.2 -26.2
2010-02 -18.6 -23.7
2010-01 -20.1 -26.6
2009-12 -20.1 -26.5
2009-11 -20.4 -26.2
2009-10 -21.1 -24.9
2009-09 -24.5 -28.3
2009-08 -26.5 -31.2
2009-07 -31.4 -33.3
2009-06 -33.5 -33.1
2009-05 -34.2 -29.2
2009-04 -36.7 -30.1
2009-03 -36.9 -24.3
2009-02 -47.1 -25.8
2009-01 -35.2 -19.5
2008-12 -30.7 -21.0
2008-11 -36.1 -11.4
2008-10 -33.0 -10.7
2008-09 -9.3 -0.9
2008-08 -4.5 0.3
2008-07 -5.2 -0.3
2008-06 -4.1 4.9
2008-05 9.8 9.6
2008-04 9.2 16.2
2008-03 17.4 15.7
2008-02 14.9 18.0
2008-01 7.3 18.7
2007-12 16.6 19.2
2007-11 13.6 21.4
2007-10 16.2 19.5
2007-09 19.6 20.6
2007-08 18.4 20.7
2007-07 19.7 25.0
2007-06 21.1 24.9
2007-05 20.3 22.3
2007-04 20.1 24.1
2007-03 17.7 22.6
2007-02 18.5 19.9
2007-01 21.0 20.1
2006-12 20.3 22.0
2006-11 23.4 20.5
2006-10 21.3 22.9
2006-09 19.1 22.6
2006-08 17.5 20.6
2006-07 17.3 21.2
2006-06 14.3 21.4
2006-05 17.1 21.0
2006-04 15.6 20.1
2006-03 16.1 17.6
2006-02 19.9 13.5
2006-01 19.8 20.4
2005-12 19.7 20.2
2005-11 23.0 19.2
2005-10 18.5 18.1
2005-09 13.5 15.4
2005-08 14.1 14.6
2005-07 15.0 15.3
2005-06 16.4 12.6
2005-05 12.7 9.2
2005-04 13.3 9.8
2005-03 13.0 8.4
2005-02 8.9 11.6
2005-01 11.2 11.1

Activity tendency in building construction

  • Source: INSEE.

Business managers have reported being pessimistic regarding their activity of new building construction: the balance on expected activity in this sector has dropped again and stands at its lowest level since August 2020. Conversely, business managers’ opinion on their maintenance and improvement activity has remained much more favourable: the associated balance has risen again, moving slightly away from its average. The balance on expected activity in the non dwelling sector remains stable, but has however been standing at very low levels for the past three months, not seen since May 2020.

The economic uncertainty felt by building construction managers is virtually stable.

Expected activity in the building construction

Expected activity in the building construction
Other new buildings New dwelling Maintenance and improvement
2024-12 -21.4 -38.6 4.6
2024-11 -21.1 -35.3 1.6
2024-10 -21.4 -34.1 0.5
2024-09 -14.1 -36.7 -2.2
2024-08 -11.9 -32.6 4.4
2024-07 -19.8 -38.3 -2.6
2024-06 -12.9 -35.1 0.3
2024-05 -11.5 -35.2 5.7
2024-04 -7.5 -36.7 -1.5
2024-03 -5.3 -33.9 8.4
2024-02 -10.7 -32.9 15.1
2024-01 -18.0 -35.0 17.3
2023-12 -14.5 -32.2 8.9
2023-11 -14.3 -29.4 5.7
2023-10 -9.6 -29.3 9.3
2023-09 -2.2 -26.0 11.9
2023-08 1.0 -22.5 11.8
2023-07 0.6 -26.7 8.5
2023-06 -2.8 -14.3 9.7
2023-05 0.4 -23.6 8.4
2023-04 4.8 -15.9 14.9
2023-03 0.0 -15.2 11.3
2023-02 0.0 -14.1 16.5
2023-01 -2.9 -11.5 22.6
2022-12 -1.9 -10.3 18.5
2022-11 -5.3 -10.8 11.3
2022-10 -1.5 -3.6 16.4
2022-09 3.1 -7.7 12.9
2022-08 -4.8 -4.7 16.1
2022-07 -2.9 -10.5 13.2
2022-06 -1.2 -6.1 7.9
2022-05 4.8 -1.4 18.2
2022-04 3.8 -2.6 24.1
2022-03 10.7 3.8 16.0
2022-02 7.6 5.6 16.4
2022-01 5.2 5.2 8.1
2021-12 7.5 13.7 19.1
2021-11 -1.3 8.2 20.2
2021-10 3.2 6.3 17.4
2021-09 13.1 9.8 19.7
2021-08 5.3 5.6 16.8
2021-07 1.6 9.9 15.7
2021-06 8.5 2.5 20.2
2021-05 7.8 8.6 24.1
2021-04 3.9 4.2 15.7
2021-03 1.9 3.7 16.2
2021-02 -7.2 -7.6 6.7
2021-01 -15.6 1.5 0.2
2020-12 -14.5 1.1 3.8
2020-11 -15.5 -16.9 -16.5
2020-10 -10.4 10.9 3.9
2020-09 0.0 1.0 -3.9
2020-08 -5.2 3.9 43.3
2020-07 12.0 10.2 62.8
2020-06 3.6 1.2 26.7
2020-05 -41.7 -44.7 -10.8
2020-04 -84.8 -87.4 -55.2
2020-03 4.4 -5.8 15.0
2020-02 7.8 0.6 12.1
2020-01 5.5 4.0 8.4
2019-12 -2.2 4.5 9.6
2019-11 3.6 5.7 10.6
2019-10 9.1 13.5 11.0
2019-09 10.7 4.1 13.2
2019-08 11.7 1.6 12.5
2019-07 13.5 0.7 13.3
2019-06 15.9 3.2 17.8
2019-05 13.6 2.0 15.4
2019-04 20.2 0.4 12.7
2019-03 12.7 0.7 14.2
2019-02 12.4 1.4 15.6
2019-01 14.8 2.8 13.3
2018-12 8.5 4.5 10.3
2018-11 8.1 4.9 11.5
2018-10 9.3 -1.4 13.9
2018-09 6.7 -2.9 11.3
2018-08 5.1 -1.9 11.2
2018-07 7.7 2.9 13.5
2018-06 12.5 5.6 12.6
2018-05 13.9 4.1 11.9
2018-04 20.1 9.8 10.0
2018-03 10.2 10.0 10.1
2018-02 6.2 9.9 10.7
2018-01 6.9 9.1 14.5
2017-12 8.5 6.5 15.4
2017-11 14.6 5.8 13.6
2017-10 1.7 7.2 8.1
2017-09 15.1 7.5 14.8
2017-08 9.2 11.6 11.7
2017-07 14.9 13.4 8.2
2017-06 -0.1 9.8 -1.2
2017-05 0.5 11.8 2.1
2017-04 10.1 10.5 6.4
2017-03 -4.5 3.3 10.9
2017-02 -8.9 6.3 1.5
2017-01 -15.7 2.6 1.2
2016-12 -1.9 0.9 1.8
2016-11 12.4 -1.3 3.2
2016-10 6.7 2.0 7.6
2016-09 -2.3 3.5 0.6
2016-08 -6.3 0.3 0.8
2016-07 -0.7 -2.9 4.2
2016-06 -14.8 -11.5 0.8
2016-05 -17.4 -5.0 2.4
2016-04 -8.4 -8.3 0.1
2016-03 -11.8 -10.4 -1.3
2016-02 -28.7 -11.8 -4.1
2016-01 -17.2 -11.5 -5.2
2015-12 -6.3 -14.6 -3.3
2015-11 -23.8 -12.9 -8.3
2015-10 -30.0 -7.5 -8.9
2015-09 -24.2 -16.1 -10.7
2015-08 -26.2 -18.4 1.4
2015-07 -22.1 -23.3 -15.1
2015-06 -19.2 -20.8 -13.4
2015-05 -18.6 -27.7 -18.0
2015-04 -29.7 -27.4 -15.7
2015-03 -26.3 -27.9 -18.5
2015-02 -21.2 -42.6 -14.9
2015-01 -31.9 -39.7 -19.1
2014-12 -35.1 -32.5 -17.8
2014-11 -32.3 -27.4 -18.1
2014-10 -30.0 -36.8 -19.5
2014-09 -31.5 -37.4 -19.5
2014-08 -28.6 -37.1 -17.9
2014-07 -31.4 -33.7 -16.3
2014-06 -16.0 -36.1 -15.5
2014-05 -14.0 -31.1 -11.7
2014-04 -20.0 -32.2 -16.3
2014-03 -22.4 -27.0 -10.2
2014-02 -28.6 -28.1 -13.9
2014-01 -24.1 -26.6 -9.1
2013-12 -24.6 -26.4 -14.0
2013-11 -31.4 -22.2 -11.8
2013-10 -27.2 -24.7 -5.6
2013-09 -16.9 -24.9 -10.8
2013-08 -27.3 -29.8 -19.2
2013-07 -32.2 -32.0 -16.5
2013-06 -31.7 -29.2 -18.7
2013-05 -32.5 -32.0 -15.6
2013-04 -34.0 -33.7 -13.8
2013-03 -31.9 -33.6 -14.2
2013-02 -22.9 -33.1 -16.3
2013-01 -23.8 -32.8 -14.8
2012-12 -20.7 -34.4 -12.0
2012-11 -21.3 -37.2 -10.6
2012-10 -22.4 -38.0 -14.1
2012-09 -22.1 -33.2 -7.3
2012-08 -19.0 -32.0 -4.9
2012-07 -15.8 -31.9 -4.0
2012-06 -13.7 -28.2 -3.2
2012-05 -16.3 -38.6 -10.0
2012-04 -11.2 -31.8 -6.1
2012-03 -10.9 -29.2 -7.8
2012-02 -14.4 -19.1 -6.6
2012-01 -11.9 -16.5 -7.4
2011-12 -15.9 -15.8 -7.2
2011-11 -12.8 -15.3 -2.6
2011-10 -10.7 -6.7 4.7
2011-09 -7.1 -6.7 -2.7
2011-08 -2.1 0.4 -2.2
2011-07 1.3 5.4 0.6
2011-06 -5.0 2.7 2.8
2011-05 -3.2 3.9 3.1
2011-04 -3.3 13.5 1.8
2011-03 -4.8 9.1 2.6
2011-02 -3.7 7.9 8.3
2011-01 -5.9 5.2 3.3
2010-12 -7.0 14.2 -2.5
2010-11 -2.9 2.4 -1.8
2010-10 -10.1 -0.5 -3.1
2010-09 -17.1 -4.8 -20.7
2010-08 -21.8 -17.4 -1.8
2010-07 -27.2 -11.0 -4.9
2010-06 -30.8 -12.6 -7.0
2010-05 -32.1 -13.5 -5.1
2010-04 -33.4 -14.1 -6.5
2010-03 -32.9 -17.8 -7.4
2010-02 -31.6 -19.7 -6.4
2010-01 -34.0 -19.5 -8.8
2009-12 -30.6 -18.6 -8.4
2009-11 -29.4 -20.3 -10.9
2009-10 -30.3 -27.1 -9.2
2009-09 -34.3 -31.6 -11.7
2009-08 -38.5 -36.8 -15.2
2009-07 -39.8 -39.0 -17.6
2009-06 -42.2 -44.0 -18.0
2009-05 -41.0 -39.0 -21.8
2009-04 -40.4 -43.3 -19.6
2009-03 -38.3 -48.6 -20.7
2009-02 -39.4 -65.5 -29.1
2009-01 -27.1 -53.9 -13.1
2008-12 -35.2 -51.8 -13.3
2008-11 -31.0 -44.4 -10.9
2008-10 -24.7 -48.3 -7.3
2008-09 -14.6 -27.0 -2.6
2008-08 -8.4 -25.5 0.6
2008-07 -1.1 -23.5 2.0
2008-06 3.0 -20.1 4.5
2008-05 11.9 -9.1 7.2
2008-04 15.1 -9.7 10.5
2008-03 13.7 -0.3 25.8
2008-02 17.9 1.0 17.9
2008-01 8.8 -1.1 12.2
2007-12 16.4 4.2 18.5
2007-11 14.2 3.5 14.2
2007-10 17.8 8.7 15.4
2007-09 21.5 9.4 14.3
2007-08 21.7 8.5 15.4
2007-07 22.3 9.5 17.4
2007-06 24.0 13.0 18.6
2007-05 21.7 8.1 20.6
2007-04 16.3 8.7 19.2
2007-03 13.2 9.6 14.5
2007-02 19.7 13.4 15.5
2007-01 23.4 17.4 19.9
2006-12 26.9 9.8 14.2
2006-11 24.3 15.2 14.1
2006-10 19.8 14.9 15.1
2006-09 14.7 14.1 12.3
2006-08 11.4 16.5 13.1
2006-07 8.9 20.1 14.2
2006-06 9.7 15.7 12.6
2006-05 10.7 13.4 13.7
2006-04 14.3 13.4 10.5
2006-03 15.9 20.1 12.4
2006-02 16.3 19.0 13.0
2006-01 14.4 22.4 11.7
2005-12 17.8 26.1 13.2
2005-11 15.5 25.8 14.2
2005-10 12.6 13.9 11.5
2005-09 4.9 14.0 9.5
2005-08 5.4 13.3 8.0
2005-07 7.4 13.2 6.8
2005-06 8.1 21.1 12.3
2005-05 5.0 17.1 6.6
2005-04 11.2 18.8 6.0
2005-03 8.7 16.1 5.7
2005-02 -4.6 14.7 7.9
2005-01 -10.8 11.9 9.1

Expected activity in the building construction

  • Source: INSEE.

Order books are considered less garnished

In December 2024, the balance of opinion relating to the level of building construction managers' order books has fallen back, and has been standing below its long-term average for the past six consecutive months.

Given their workforce size, building contractors estimate that their order books provide them with 7.9 months of work, a duration which is in slight decrease but still stands above its long-term average.

The production capacity utilization rate has sharply dropped

In December 2024, 37% of companies have reported being at the limit of their production capacity (production bottlenecks), meaning that they would not be able to produce more with their current resources even if they received more orders. This share has sharply decreased but still remains above its long-term average (34%).

The production capacity utilization rate has thus dropped sharply: at 88.6 %, it has fallen below its long-term average (89.0%) for the first time since December 2020. This is the largest decline ever recorded since November 2020.

As many business managers as in the previous month have reported facing obstacles limiting their production: at 60%, this share remains below its long-term average. As many as in the previous month have also reported facing insufficient demand (36%), a share above its average for the tenth consecutive month. Conversely, business managers are again less numerous to report facing workforce shortages (27%), a proportion which has gone back below its long-term average.

However, slightly fewer companies have also reported facing only demand difficulties (19%) or only supply difficulties (23%).

Type of difficulties encountered by companies

Type of difficulties encountered by companies
Demand difficulties only Supply difficulties only
2024-12 18.5 23.3
2024-11 19.6 24.2
2024-10 17.3 26.2
2024-09 17.8 25.2
2024-08 16.2 27.1
2024-07 13.7 28.4
2024-06 16.5 30.3
2024-05 15.3 29.3
2024-04 13.8 29.6
2024-03 13.1 28.9
2024-02 12.9 31.0
2024-01 12.4 31.7
2023-12 14.2 31.2
2023-11 12.5 32.7
2023-10 9.6 36.2
2023-09 9.8 37.9
2023-08 9.7 39.3
2023-07 8.6 39.0
2023-06 9.3 41.1
2023-05 7.8 41.6
2023-04 7.1 43.8
2023-03 7.3 42.9
2023-02 6.2 46.1
2023-01 5.8 46.6
2022-12 4.7 48.0
2022-11 4.7 49.4
2022-10 4.8 52.9
2022-09 5.3 49.8
2022-08 6.1 51.7
2022-07 6.8 51.6
2022-06 4.4 51.3
2022-05 4.2 54.3
2022-04 4.5 53.5
2022-03 6.1 54.0
2022-02 5.5 50.4
2022-01 6.9 53.1
2021-12 6.5 56.3
2021-11 8.3 51.6
2021-10 6.3 51.5
2021-09 8.4 50.8
2021-08 9.2 51.5
2021-07 8.1 48.8
2021-06 9.0 45.6
2021-05 10.5 41.6
2021-04 12.5 41.0
2021-03 12.6 39.0
2021-02 13.9 35.2
2021-01 13.0 34.2
2020-12 12.4 32.2
2020-11 15.4 38.4
2020-10 14.2 36.3
2020-09 14.3 36.1
2020-08 13.7 37.4
2020-07 13.0 38.3
2020-06 11.7 43.9
2020-05 3.4 56.9
2020-04 2.1 63.9
2020-03 7.8 41.6
2020-02 10.2 41.9
2020-01 10.6 43.1
2019-12 11.0 42.4
2019-11 11.0 41.3
2019-10 11.0 45.9
2019-09 11.2 44.9
2019-08 11.3 44.3
2019-07 11.3 45.1
2019-06 10.8 43.4
2019-05 11.5 42.0
2019-04 11.3 41.2
2019-03 13.8 40.4
2019-02 14.0 41.0
2019-01 12.0 37.3
2018-12 16.0 40.7
2018-11 15.6 37.9
2018-10 17.4 36.1
2018-09 17.2 36.3
2018-08 16.7 35.3
2018-07 16.4 34.3
2018-06 18.7 34.5
2018-05 18.6 33.0
2018-04 16.2 35.0
2018-03 18.9 30.6
2018-02 18.8 29.5
2018-01 20.4 28.7
2017-12 20.6 28.8
2017-11 22.0 28.4
2017-10 21.2 26.3
2017-09 20.9 23.7
2017-08 23.7 23.0
2017-07 22.3 22.8
2017-06 25.5 20.4
2017-05 27.2 22.0
2017-04 28.6 19.5
2017-03 27.1 18.7
2017-02 26.7 17.5
2017-01 28.1 18.4
2016-12 31.4 18.1
2016-11 31.5 17.2
2016-10 32.9 16.2
2016-09 34.0 16.7
2016-08 33.4 16.1
2016-07 34.9 13.8
2016-06 36.6 14.3
2016-05 37.8 13.3
2016-04 37.3 13.4
2016-03 38.2 15.7
2016-02 37.0 14.5
2016-01 38.6 12.6
2015-12 40.0 13.5
2015-11 39.5 13.1
2015-10 39.9 13.9
2015-09 38.4 13.8
2015-08 35.9 14.5
2015-07 37.6 12.8
2015-06 37.7 13.5
2015-05 37.7 12.5
2015-04 37.6 11.5
2015-03 38.5 12.9
2015-02 37.5 12.9
2015-01 38.7 12.8
2014-12 39.3 13.7
2014-11 36.5 13.7
2014-10 37.5 15.0
2014-09 33.6 14.6
2014-08 32.3 15.7
2014-07 32.8 15.3
2014-06 32.8 15.0
2014-05 31.9 15.8
2014-04 31.2 15.3
2014-03 31.3 16.0
2014-02 32.6 16.1
2014-01 31.3 18.3
2013-12 32.5 19.0
2013-11 32.6 17.3
2013-10 31.8 18.3
2013-09 30.3 19.3
2013-08 29.2 19.2
2013-07 27.4 18.9
2013-06 27.9 18.6
2013-05 29.0 17.3
2013-04 28.8 17.0
2013-03 28.2 17.8
2013-02 26.6 17.4
2013-01 27.0 18.4
2012-12 27.4 15.6
2012-11 27.1 16.2
2012-10 28.6 18.3
2012-09 27.2 17.5
2012-08 27.4 17.9
2012-07 22.5 20.0
2012-06 24.1 19.4
2012-05 28.1 20.1
2012-04 25.3 21.9
2012-03 22.1 21.3
2012-02 12.0 9.6
2012-01 16.9 12.0
2011-12 14.0 10.4
2011-11 16.0 10.8
2011-10 17.7 12.4
2011-09 14.1 8.4
2011-08 15.3 10.2
2011-07 17.8 11.5
2011-06 13.9 9.8
2011-05 14.9 10.6
2011-04 20.6 13.7
2011-03 15.5 10.3
2011-02 14.8 12.2
2011-01 16.2 13.2
2010-12 17.0 11.5
2010-11 18.8 10.7
2010-10 20.8 11.7
2010-09 19.1 11.9
2010-08 19.5 11.6
2010-07 24.7 10.8
2010-06 22.7 7.4
2010-05 24.7 9.4
2010-04 27.6 9.9
2010-03 23.3 9.9
2010-02 23.5 9.0
2010-01 25.6 10.2
2009-12 26.9 9.3
2009-11 26.4 9.7
2009-10 25.2 9.1
2009-09 25.9 9.5
2009-08 27.4 9.6
2009-07 26.6 9.3
2009-06 26.0 7.9
2009-05 25.4 8.6
2009-04 25.6 10.1
2009-03 18.4 9.1
2009-02 20.2 11.3
2009-01 17.1 16.9
2008-12 15.3 12.3
2008-11 14.5 15.9
2008-10 12.2 21.0
2008-09 9.6 21.5
2008-08 7.6 24.3
2008-07 7.3 30.3
2008-06 6.3 26.7
2008-05 6.6 29.9
2008-04 5.6 36.8
2008-03 5.0 32.7
2008-02 4.9 33.2
2008-01 4.8 43.8
2007-12 4.7 36.3
2007-11 4.3 39.6
2007-10 5.0 45.3
2007-09 3.5 41.4
2007-08 4.0 45.6
2007-07 4.6 49.8
2007-06 4.5 46.5
2007-05 5.8 55.3
2007-04 7.3 49.7
2007-03 7.7 48.6
2007-02 4.7 51.0
2007-01 5.6 49.8
2006-12 5.4 51.8
2006-11 9.0 49.0
2006-10 9.7 50.3
2006-09 7.5 46.9
2006-08 6.9 48.4
2006-07 6.4 50.0
2006-06 7.0 47.6
2006-05 7.4 47.8
2006-04 7.5 49.0
2006-03 8.6 46.2
2006-02 10.2 45.3
2006-01 10.0 46.6
2005-12 11.4 45.8
2005-11 11.2 44.4
2005-10 9.7 46.4
2005-09 10.2 45.8
2005-08 10.5 45.3
2005-07 10.8 44.7
2005-06 11.4 44.1
2005-05 12.1 39.6
2005-04 11.6 39.9
2005-03 12.6 40.0
2005-02 14.0 37.2
2005-01 13.2 38.0

Type of difficulties encountered by companies

  • Source: INSEE.

The balance of opinion on expected prices has increased

In December 2024, the balance of opinion on expected prices has increased, deviating further from its long-term average.

Opinion on workforce size has deteriorated

In December 2024, business managers’ opinion regarding both the past and expected evolutions of their workforce size has deteriorated. Both balances remain near their respective long-term average.

Workforce size tendency in building construction

Workforce size tendency in building construction
Expected workforce size Past workforce size
2024-12 -0.4 -4.8
2024-11 2.6 -1.9
2024-10 3.0 -4.0
2024-09 1.7 -9.6
2024-08 1.2 -6.5
2024-07 1.8 -1.9
2024-06 3.7 -1.9
2024-05 3.8 -5.1
2024-04 5.7 -2.8
2024-03 3.7 -2.6
2024-02 4.5 -3.1
2024-01 4.4 -1.7
2023-12 3.6 -3.2
2023-11 3.6 -2.4
2023-10 7.8 -2.3
2023-09 8.8 0.9
2023-08 6.6 0.7
2023-07 8.4 2.5
2023-06 8.2 1.0
2023-05 8.5 -1.9
2023-04 9.7 -1.1
2023-03 11.9 2.2
2023-02 12.4 3.6
2023-01 13.0 3.6
2022-12 14.5 4.4
2022-11 15.1 4.5
2022-10 16.5 6.5
2022-09 14.3 0.0
2022-08 18.2 -1.5
2022-07 15.0 0.0
2022-06 12.4 1.0
2022-05 16.4 4.6
2022-04 16.3 6.8
2022-03 16.7 0.4
2022-02 17.4 2.1
2022-01 16.2 3.1
2021-12 18.3 5.6
2021-11 17.8 3.4
2021-10 15.6 4.3
2021-09 15.3 3.6
2021-08 16.5 3.6
2021-07 15.3 4.4
2021-06 17.1 2.3
2021-05 17.3 -1.8
2021-04 14.3 2.1
2021-03 12.7 -1.2
2021-02 7.2 -6.9
2021-01 5.1 -3.8
2020-12 7.4 -4.1
2020-11 3.3 -6.0
2020-10 4.0 -7.2
2020-09 2.6 -6.8
2020-08 0.4 -12.0
2020-07 4.2 -17.2
2020-06 -3.3 -21.8
2020-05 -17.8 -17.5
2020-04 -18.2 0.2
2020-03 11.8 6.9
2020-02 16.1 8.0
2020-01 14.5 6.5
2019-12 12.1 4.4
2019-11 14.3 4.3
2019-10 12.5 5.6
2019-09 13.5 5.3
2019-08 10.6 6.6
2019-07 9.6 4.6
2019-06 10.3 5.2
2019-05 13.2 5.9
2019-04 13.1 3.8
2019-03 12.3 5.9
2019-02 14.8 5.7
2019-01 5.9 1.7
2018-12 13.2 4.9
2018-11 12.6 9.1
2018-10 10.5 4.8
2018-09 14.9 4.9
2018-08 15.0 4.0
2018-07 16.7 4.6
2018-06 10.7 4.3
2018-05 9.6 6.7
2018-04 11.3 3.8
2018-03 13.0 1.0
2018-02 4.2 -4.7
2018-01 8.8 -1.5
2017-12 11.3 6.8
2017-11 0.8 -5.8
2017-10 4.8 -5.2
2017-09 2.0 -6.7
2017-08 2.1 -7.4
2017-07 5.7 -2.2
2017-06 2.7 -6.5
2017-05 -1.3 -8.2
2017-04 -5.2 -15.4
2017-03 -6.5 -11.1
2017-02 -9.0 -13.4
2017-01 -7.2 -14.3
2016-12 -8.3 -15.2
2016-11 -11.2 -14.7
2016-10 -8.3 -17.4
2016-09 -10.5 -18.5
2016-08 -13.2 -20.9
2016-07 -17.2 -21.0
2016-06 -16.4 -23.8
2016-05 -15.9 -24.0
2016-04 -17.9 -23.5
2016-03 -20.4 -27.1
2016-02 -20.8 -25.8
2016-01 -20.3 -24.7
2015-12 -23.3 -27.4
2015-11 -21.3 -28.3
2015-10 -23.2 -26.6
2015-09 -22.1 -24.9
2015-08 -23.2 -25.1
2015-07 -24.7 -28.7
2015-06 -19.9 -26.4
2015-05 -27.3 -29.9
2015-04 -27.3 -34.5
2015-03 -25.3 -26.7
2015-02 -24.5 -24.9
2015-01 -29.4 -29.3
2014-12 -24.3 -25.7
2014-11 -22.5 -24.8
2014-10 -26.0 -28.6
2014-09 -28.1 -28.7
2014-08 -26.9 -26.6
2014-07 -22.1 -25.5
2014-06 -23.4 -26.4
2014-05 -19.2 -15.4
2014-04 -19.3 -22.7
2014-03 -18.5 -18.6
2014-02 -21.1 -19.7
2014-01 -19.5 -19.0
2013-12 -17.7 -16.7
2013-11 -16.7 -18.1
2013-10 -10.4 -13.4
2013-09 -14.8 -18.5
2013-08 -16.0 -19.8
2013-07 -17.9 -18.2
2013-06 -18.2 -18.4
2013-05 -19.0 -16.1
2013-04 -13.5 -14.1
2013-03 -18.0 -17.9
2013-02 -15.9 -17.1
2013-01 -15.6 -14.4
2012-12 -16.2 -13.3
2012-11 -14.9 -10.7
2012-10 -14.7 -10.0
2012-09 -16.7 -15.8
2012-08 -14.7 -11.2
2012-07 -15.3 -11.9
2012-06 -11.3 -7.6
2012-05 -12.6 -8.9
2012-04 -9.3 -8.7
2012-03 -9.1 -6.9
2012-02 -3.9 -5.5
2012-01 -3.7 -4.2
2011-12 -5.3 -6.4
2011-11 -7.4 -8.7
2011-10 -6.2 -2.2
2011-09 -0.8 2.6
2011-08 3.4 3.8
2011-07 7.7 3.3
2011-06 6.8 3.3
2011-05 7.3 -0.3
2011-04 4.9 0.2
2011-03 3.6 -3.1
2011-02 3.1 -5.1
2011-01 -1.3 -4.2
2010-12 -1.7 -4.4
2010-11 -3.8 -7.6
2010-10 -7.8 -11.9
2010-09 -7.7 -11.0
2010-08 -11.3 -12.0
2010-07 -13.4 -10.8
2010-06 -15.4 -15.8
2010-05 -14.6 -14.0
2010-04 -14.0 -16.6
2010-03 -13.1 -16.8
2010-02 -15.8 -17.2
2010-01 -12.8 -18.3
2009-12 -14.5 -18.8
2009-11 -15.3 -18.8
2009-10 -15.9 -19.2
2009-09 -17.1 -19.1
2009-08 -19.0 -19.2
2009-07 -20.3 -20.7
2009-06 -20.1 -17.9
2009-05 -20.2 -17.9
2009-04 -20.9 -18.5
2009-03 -22.4 -12.8
2009-02 -17.9 -8.2
2009-01 -16.9 -8.7
2008-12 -12.5 -2.3
2008-11 -8.7 -0.9
2008-10 -1.4 5.8
2008-09 4.8 5.9
2008-08 9.5 9.3
2008-07 11.9 13.4
2008-06 13.8 13.6
2008-05 15.5 12.9
2008-04 23.1 21.1
2008-03 22.3 23.0
2008-02 15.9 21.4
2008-01 19.9 22.6
2007-12 21.5 21.0
2007-11 26.7 21.7
2007-10 23.1 16.6
2007-09 24.2 22.1
2007-08 24.6 21.8
2007-07 25.4 21.6
2007-06 28.6 23.4
2007-05 25.5 20.2
2007-04 22.9 20.6
2007-03 24.6 20.5
2007-02 25.3 21.4
2007-01 27.0 19.2
2006-12 26.3 18.5
2006-11 23.8 19.8
2006-10 26.1 21.6
2006-09 24.4 21.7
2006-08 22.2 21.1
2006-07 20.3 20.4
2006-06 21.8 17.9
2006-05 20.5 18.2
2006-04 18.2 16.0
2006-03 19.3 13.3
2006-02 20.2 19.9
2006-01 18.4 18.9
2005-12 17.0 12.7
2005-11 19.5 11.4
2005-10 15.9 9.7
2005-09 13.7 7.9
2005-08 15.2 6.0
2005-07 16.9 3.9
2005-06 14.0 8.1
2005-05 14.2 6.7
2005-04 15.2 6.9
2005-03 12.5 5.5
2005-02 9.5 0.0
2005-01 9.2 0.7

Workforce size tendency in building construction

  • Source: INSEE.

Revisions

The business climate in the building construction industry of November 2024 has not been revised (after rounding).

For further information

For questions with three possible answers, a balance of opinion is calculated as the difference between the percentage of “above the normal” or “increase” responses and the percentage of “below the normal” or “decrease” responses.

The responses to this survey were collected between 28 November and 16 December 2024; most companies answer during the first two weeks of collection.

All the balances of opinion from this survey are included in this publication and are available in the complementary chronological series published online.

This survey is part of the Joint Harmonised European Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys, partly funded by the European Commission.

Additional information (simplified and detailed methodology, nomenclature, etc.) are available on the “Documentation” tab of the web page of this publication.

Next issue: 23 January 2025 at 8:45 am.

Pour en savoir plus

For questions with three possible answers, a balance of opinion is calculated as the difference between the percentage of “above the normal” or “increase” responses and the percentage of “below the normal” or “decrease” responses.

The responses to this survey were collected between 28 November and 16 December 2024; most companies answer during the first two weeks of collection.

All the balances of opinion from this survey are included in this publication and are available in the complementary chronological series published online.

This survey is part of the Joint Harmonised European Programme of Business and Consumer Surveys, partly funded by the European Commission.

Additional information (simplified and detailed methodology, nomenclature, etc.) are available on the “Documentation” tab of the web page of this publication.

Next issue: 23 January 2025 at 8:45 am.

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