Employment in the construction sector: 17% decrease in recruitment volume in the first half of 2026

After a first quarter of 2026 marked by a 4,9% decline in job postings, the slowdown stabilized in the spring, with the second quarter showing a 4,1% decrease. Monthly data, however, suggest the beginnings of a recovery, with the decline limited to 0,8% in June. At the same time, the decrease in recruitment intensifies competition among candidates: the number of applications per job posting increased by 18% compared to the first half of 2025.

Key takeaways include:

• The market slowdown continues, with 4,6 million offers published in the first half (-9% vs H2 2025), but the last few months suggest the beginning of a stabilization.
• Permanent contracts remain the most affected type of contract (-13%), while fixed-term contracts have seen a limited decline (-4%). ​​Temporary work (-6%) and apprenticeships (-7%) also continue their downward trend.
• All regions are affected, but Brittany (-5%), Burgundy-Franche-Comté (-6%) and Pays de la Loire (-7%) are holding up better than the national average.
• Health and personal services continue to support the market, while commercial (-15%) and industrial functions continue their decline.
• The balance of power is shifting in favour of recruiters, with 18% more applications per offer and increased competition in nearly nine out of ten professions.

According to David Beaurepaire, Deputy Director of Development at Hellowork: “While recent indicators suggest a stabilization, the real challenge will be to recreate, by the 2027 deadlines, a stable and favorable environment for investment by both small and large companies. It is this confidence that will allow us to revive job creation, promote the professional mobility of current employees, and offer more opportunities to job seekers.”

A market still in decline, but signs of improvement in the spring

The job market in the first half of 2026 confirmed the trend that began at the start of 2025. With 4,6 million job postings, recruitment declined by 9% compared to the second half of 2025.

After a first quarter marked by a 4,9% decline, the slowdown eased in the spring, with a 4,1% drop in the second quarter. Monthly data confirms this trend: after a further decline in May, the decrease was only 0,8% in June, its lowest level in several months. While not indicative of a genuine recovery, this development could signal a stabilization phase in hiring intentions, in a context where companies remain cautious in the face of economic uncertainties.

The permanent contract remains the most penalized contract

As observed for several quarters now, companies are favoring the most flexible forms of employment. Permanent contracts (CDI) have seen the most significant decline (-13%), illustrating a continued caution regarding long-term recruitment. Temporary work has decreased by 6%, maintaining its traditional role as an adjustment variable. Fixed-term contracts (CDD) are holding up better (-4%), while apprenticeships continue their downward trend (-7%), following the effects of the apprenticeship funding reform.

A general slowdown, but widening regional disparities

The geography of employment changed little in the first half of 2026, but the slowdown now affects the entire country. Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes remain the two main employment hubs, each accounting for 15% of the job postings on Hellowork. They are followed by Nouvelle-Aquitaine (10%), Pays de la Loire (9%), and Grand Est (8%). While the overall distribution of recruitment remained stable, trends varied considerably from one region to another.

Île-de-France remains the leading region for recruitment in terms of volume but records one of the most significant declines (-12%), notably due to the decline in recruitment in commerce, accounting or certain industrial activities such as pharmaceuticals.

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the second largest French region in terms of volume of offers, limits the decline to -8%.

Brittany shows the best resistance (-5%), ahead of Burgundy-Franche-Comté (-6%) and Pays de la Loire (-7%), thanks in particular to needs that remain sustained in the health and medico-social professions.

Conversely, Normandy (-12%), Grand Est (-10%) and Hauts-de-France (-10%) are among the most impacted regions.

Health and personal services are holding up, most other sectors are declining

In a slowing job market, healthcare and social services jobs are the only sector showing positive momentum, with a 3% increase in the first half of 2026. Personal and business services are also demonstrating resilience, remaining stable despite the current climate. Conversely, recruitment is declining across most other functions. Sales positions continue their downward trend (-15%), while technical and industrial engineering roles have fallen by 17%. The sharpest decreases are observed in the restaurant, tourism, and hospitality sectors (-30%), followed by design offices and R&D (-19%).

Temporary employment remains largely dominated by the construction and public works sector and industry.

With 23% of job postings each, Construction and Industrial Production/Maintenance remain the two main recruiting sectors in the first half of 2026. While both sectors are still trending downward (-7% and -6% respectively), their dynamics differ. Construction showed some signs of improvement in the second quarter, particularly in June, coinciding with the resumption of new housing starts. In the manufacturing sector, the slowdown continues, but some industries, such as aerospace and automotive, are holding up better than average. Logistics completes the top three most sought-after temporary positions, accounting for 16% of job postings (-5%).

A market that is easing for recruiters, competition that is intensifying for candidates

The main takeaway from this first half of the year concerns the changing market conditions. The number of applications per job posting has increased by 18% compared to the first half of 2025. This increase applies to 88% of positions, but with significant variations depending on the specific job.

Tertiary functions are those where competition increases the most:

• Distribution: +57%
• Sales: +56%
• Human Resources: +38%

In these sectors, the increase is explained by both a rise in the number of applicants and a decrease in available job openings. Conversely, sectors experiencing structural labor shortages remain relatively unaffected. The construction industry remains virtually stable (+9%), and healthcare/social services even see a slight decrease in labor shortages (-2%), indicating that recruitment difficulties persist despite the overall slowdown.

In detail, caregivers, accounting assistants, housekeepers, nurses and payroll managers are among the most sought-after profiles for permanent contracts in the first half of 2026, confirming the prominent place of care, service and management jobs.

In the temporary employment sector, the needs remain concentrated on operational jobs, with production operators, forklift operators, nurses, bricklayers and electricians at the forefront.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.