Les commandes de construction en Allemagne ont chuté de 9,2 % en juillet – le logement stagnant

In July, the German construction industry experienced a significant decline in orders, as evidenced by seasonally adjusted data. Order intake fell by 9.2% compared with the previous month, affecting both the residential and the infrastructure sectors: residential construction projects recorded a decrease of 8.4%, and civil engineering contracts declined by 10%. While residential construction is dominated by housing projects, civil engineering covers road and bridge construction. However, in the less volatile period from May to July, order intake was still 2.7% higher than in the three months preceding. Housing construction remains a key lever for the sector, but the situation remains fragile. According to Felix Pakleppa, CEO of the German Construction Industry Association (ZDB), new construction continues to falter: 'The order books are getting thinner', he said. Whilst companies are still working with stocks from previous orders, the current situation remains tense. Pakleppa also warned of a setback at the end of the year: the special subsidy for energy-efficient new construction (EH-55) is expected to expire at the end of 2026, and reductions in the new construction budget are planned for 2027. A possible funding gap until summer 2027 cannot be ruled out. 'This will not lead to a construction boom', Pakleppa criticised, questioning the German Government's efforts to speed up housing construction. Whilst the construction industry has recently benefitted from state investment in infrastructure and there have been improvements in housing construction – building permits increased significantly – rising interest rates and construction costs are weighing on the situation. In July, the turnover of the main construction sector increased by 4.6% in real terms compared with the previous year, rising to EUR 12.1 billion at nominal value. Employment grew slightly, but only in companies with at least 20 employees.