Italy Construction Downturn Eases in July

The S&P Global Italy Construction PMI rose to 49.1 in July 2026 from 45.4 in June, signaling a softer contraction in construction activity, though the sector remained in decline for a fifth consecutive month. The slowdown in the downturn reflected renewed growth in commercial building activity, while declines in housing and civil engineering eased. New orders increased for the first time in five months, supported by improving customer interest and successful bids, prompting a modest rebound in employment after June's decline. Meanwhile, purchasing activity continued to fall as lower output reduced input requirements. On the price front, input cost inflation eased to its weakest level since February, although firms continued to face higher raw material, oil, and energy costs amid the Middle East conflict. Business confidence, however, remained subdued, with firms citing geopolitical uncertainty and the end of construction incentives as key risks to activity over the coming year.

The S&P Global Italy Construction PMI fell to 45.4 in June 2026 from 49.4 in May, signaling a sharper contraction in construction activity after conditions had shown signs of stabilizing in the previous month. Output and new orders both declined at faster rates, reflecting weaker demand, delivery delays, and fewer working hours due to extreme heat. Activity fell across all sectors, with civil engineering posting the steepest decline in 16 months, while commercial construction recorded the mildest contraction. Employment also decreased for the first time in 22 months and at the fastest pace in over six years as firms reduced headcount following project completions and weaker workloads. On the price front, input cost inflation eased to a four-month low but remained elevated due to higher raw material and oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict. Lastly, business confidence weakened amid uncertainty surrounding the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) deadline.

The S&P Global Italy Construction PMI rose to 49.4 in May 2026, up from 44.8 in April, which was the lowest in over three and a half years. The latest reading points to the mildest decline in activity in three months and suggests conditions are nearing stabilization. Activity and new orders continued to fall but at the slowest pace since February. Weakness remained centered on housing and commercial construction, while civil engineering returned to growth. Firms cited subdued demand, uncertainty, and difficulty securing tenders as key drags on activity. Meanwhile, business confidence improved, with firms turning optimistic on the 12-month outlook amid expectations of new contracts. On the labor front, employment growth accelerated to its strongest since January despite lower subcontractor usage. Still, supply-chain delays and cost pressures linked to the Middle East conflict persisted, and input costs rose at the second-fastest rate since September 2022 despite easing from April.