Mental health in the construction industry in 2026: a sector more resilient than average, but still under-equipped in terms of prevention

Recognizing the investments made by the industry, construction professionals have a more positive overall assessment of their working conditions and are more engaged and committed to their companies. However, while construction companies are perceived as more invested in mental health at work, prevention programs remain insufficiently structured, revealing significant potential for improvement.

Significantly better mental health than the average employee

By 2026, 85% of construction and public works employees report being in good mental health, compared to 77% for all employees, a difference of 8 percentage points. This trend confirms a pattern already observed in previous years and places the construction and public works sector among the best-performing sectors in this respect.

Beyond the overall perception, construction workers exhibit above-average levels across all dimensions of mental health: confidence in the future, resilience, emotional balance, self-awareness, and self-esteem. These indicators reflect a greater resilience among these workers in the face of economic and social uncertainties.

Working conditions are better rated than in other sectors

This improved mental health is logically accompanied by higher satisfaction with working conditions.

Nearly 72% of construction workers have a positive view of work organization and daily tasks (+6 points compared to the national average). 71% are also satisfied with working conditions, health and safety (+5 points), and 68% have a positive view of company culture, communication, and the role management gives employees (+9 points).

While these averages mask disparities, some fundamentals help to understand these results: in the construction industry, the feeling of effectiveness and usefulness is often stronger, "a major determinant of mental health," emphasizes Camy Puech (Qualisocial).

In addition, there is often a supportive work environment, with close-knit teams and clear unspoken rules: you either stay or you move on to another position in a still relatively open job market. Finally, in smaller organizations, the manager's close connection to the day-to-day operations enhances the quality of work life.

In summary, these results highlight a winning combination: work organization, prevention, collective framework... and concrete recognition through "work that is visible", which fosters engagement and stabilizes well-being.

Above-average commitment and employer attractiveness

This satisfaction translates directly into a higher level of engagement. The engagement score for construction workers reached 6,6 out of 10, compared to an average of 6 out of 10 across all sectors, representing the highest sectoral level observed in the 2026 barometer.

Similarly, the likelihood of recommending one's company is higher in this sector, with an employee NPS of 6,9, compared to 6,4 for all employees. These indicators confirm a direct link between mental health, engagement, and sustainable performance.

According to Camy Puech, founding president of Qualisocial: "The construction industry demonstrates that a structured work environment, strong teams, and attention to working conditions are genuine protective factors for mental health. But the barometer results are clear: where actions exist, they work. The challenge now is to go further and structure comprehensive and sustainable prevention strategies."

Companies perceived as more committed... but still poorly structured

Although 62% of construction workers believe that their company is committed to mental health at work, 8 points higher than the average, concrete measures remain limited.

Only 24% report having a comprehensive mental health action plan, a level only slightly higher than that observed across all sectors (21%).

In contrast, construction workers are significantly more likely to consider the implemented measures effective: 77% believe they have led to a real improvement in mental health, compared to an average of 66%. This is a strong signal in favor of scaling up prevention policies in the sector.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.