Eurozone Construction Downturn Worsens

The HCOB Eurozone Construction PMI fell to 45.3 in January from 47.4 in December, as demand remained weak and new orders declined. All three major economies reported falling output, with the steepest drop in France and the mildest in Italy, while Germany returned to a sharp decline after a brief rise in December. Housing and commercial construction both weakened, with commercial activity posting its biggest fall since November 2024, although civil engineering edged slightly higher. New orders continued to drop across the region, particularly in France and Germany, prompting firms to cut purchasing activity again. Input costs rose at the fastest pace since April 2023, driven by higher operating expenses across Italy, France and Germany. Despite weak demand, employment rose for the first time since February 2023 as firms in Germany and Italy added staff, while overall sentiment remained pessimistic though slightly less negative than in recent months.

The HCOB Eurozone Construction PMI rose to 47.4 in December 2025 from 45.4 in November, signaling the softest contraction since February 2023. The improvement was mainly attributed to renewed expansion in Germany and slower reductions in residential construction. Commercial activity also fell at a softer pace, while civil engineering decreased slightly faster than in November. France and Italy registered the sharpest drops in output, while Germany saw marginal growth. New orders fell at a faster pace, with France hardest hit and Germany’s decline the slowest since March 2022. Employment was broadly unchanged, with rises in Germany and Italy offsetting continued job cuts in France. Subcontractor usage and purchasing activity decreased, but at slower rates. Input prices rose sharply, hitting a six-month high, with France and Italy seeing the fastest inflation. Business sentiment weakened across the eurozone, with France the most pessimistic and Italy slightly more optimistic.

The HCOB Eurozone Construction PMI rose to 45.4 in November 2025 from 44.0 in October, but remained well below the 50 mark that signals growth. Overall construction activity continued to contract, though the rate of decline eased, led by slower reductions in residential construction and civil engineering. Commercial construction fell steeply, unchanged from October. France registered the fastest drop in output, while Germany’s contraction moderated, and Italy saw only a marginal decline after a slight rise in October. New orders fell at the softest pace in seven months, yet weak demand kept employment and purchasing activity subdued. Subcontractor usage declined sharply, though less than in October. Input prices rose solidly in November, with Germany seeing the fastest inflation. Sentiment worsened across the eurozone, with France the most pessimistic, while Italian firms were slightly more confident despite a sharp fall from prior months.