24 January 2020

2020- n° 20

In January 2020, opinion of business managers in civil engineering on their expected activity has deteriorated sharply Quaterly survey of public works - January 2020

According to the business managers surveyed in January 2020, the economic climate in civil engineering is less favourable than in October. However, the civil engineering professionals remain quite confident overall: all the balances of opinion stand above their long-term average.

In January 2020, slightly fewer business managers than in October have indicated an increase in their activity over the last three months. The corresponding balance of opinion has dropped again overall, but more slightly than in October and remains largely above its long-term average. In detail, the balance about private-sector clients has slightly decreases while that about public-sector clients is stable after a plunge in October. The activity’ prospects are clouding over: for the fifth consecutive quarter, fewer business managers than in the previous interrogation have anticipated an increase in their activity for the next three months. The corresponding balance has fallen sharply; particularly for the public-sector clients which balance is approaching its long-term average. Furthermore, much fewer business managers than in October deem that their order books remain well filled: the corresponding balance of opinion has declined again, somewhat more strongly than in October. However, it remains far above its long-term average.

In January 2020, the obstacles to production due to workforce shortage remains significant, but they have eased a little. Indeed, 40% of businesses have indicated being hampered because of workforce shortage. This share has dropped again in January, more strongly than in October, after having reached a high point during spring 2019. However, this share still remain far above its long-term average (16%).

In January 2020, slightly fewer business managers than in October have planed to increase their workforce in the next three months. The corresponding balance has dropped for the third consecutive quarter, while remaining largely above its long-term average.