The French Building Federation anticipates the loss of 150,000 jobs in the sector by 2025, and even 300,000 FTEs if we include the resulting jobs.
The construction crisis has led to the loss of 25,000 jobs in the first quarter of 2024, according to the French Building Federation (FFB), which predicts that this trend will continue throughout the year.
“Unfortunately, to date, this is only the beginning. And we are heading towards a major slide towards the end of 2024,” warned the president of the FFB, Olivier Salleron.
“If there is no powerful stimulus measure on the new, (…) it is 150,000 jobs who will be affected in the building industry” by 2025, repeated Olivier Salleron, plus 300,000 taking into account the resulting jobs.
Construction starts fell by -21.5% over one year (with 280,100 construction sites started between June 2023 and May 2024 according to official statistics) in particular due to the increase in rates. This drop in new construction is the main cause of job losses. Especially since it is not offset by the growth in energy renovation.
Delayed for years to come
This latter activity has marked time since the beginning of the year, denounces the FFB, following the refocusing of Maprimerénov’, the main renovation aid, on major renovations – a refocusing on which the government returned during the spring to postpone it until January 1, 2025.
The threats to employment are likely to materialize even if the production of new housing were to be restarted quickly, declared Olivier Salleron. “We can continue to boost energy renovation, but for new housing, given the inertia that exists, it is a done deal” until at least mid-2025, he judged.