French Construction Sector Growth Hits 5-Month High

The S&P Global France Construction PMI rose to 41.5 in July 2026 from 38.2 in June, marking its highest level since February. Despite the improvement, the index remained well below the 50 threshold, signaling a continued sector-wide downturn. Commercial construction was once again the weakest segment, posting a steeper decline than both residential and civil engineering activity. New orders continued to fall at a rapid pace as firms cited weak client demand, customer hesitancy, and a lack of competitiveness. Construction companies also continued to reduce staffing levels, extending a run of job cuts that has persisted since May 2024. On the cost side, input price inflation remained elevated and significantly above the rates seen throughout 2025. Looking ahead, French builders remained pessimistic about activity over the next twelve months. While sentiment improved slightly from the previous four months, the level of confidence remained deeply negative by historical standards.




