Job market: Construction sector declines again in the first quarter of 2026 (-10%), penalized by a sluggish market

Although the market remains at a high level, comparable to that observed in mid-2023, the beginning of the year is marked by a sharper deterioration in momentum, linked in particular to a particularly weak January.

The start of the year confirms the slowdown in the job market.

The start of 2026 confirms the entry of the job market into a slowdown phase, with 2,4 million job postings published in the first quarter, representing a 4,6% decrease compared to the previous quarter. While the volume of postings remains high, comparable to that observed in mid-2023, the momentum is deteriorating at the beginning of this year. After several quarters of moderate decline, the drop is accelerating, reflecting a more pronounced weakening of recruitment intentions.

According to David Beaurepaire, Deputy Director of Development at Hellowork: “This downturn is largely explained by a particularly weak January (-2,1%), which represents the lowest point observed in recent months. The trend remained negative in February and March, but more moderately (-1,0% then -1,6%), suggesting the beginning of a stabilization without, however, reversing the trend. In a context of still limited visibility, companies have clearly postponed or reduced their recruitment at the beginning of the year, extending the decisions made in 2025.”

Permanent contracts declining, temporary work down, fixed-term contracts decreasing but apprenticeships on the rise

In line with the trends observed in 2025, companies are adjusting their recruitment strategies, favouring greater flexibility in a context of reduced economic visibility.

Permanent contracts saw the sharpest decline (-6%) compared to the previous quarter, confirming employers' continued caution regarding long-term commitments. This trend continues the pattern that began at the end of 2024.

Temporary employment also declined (-3%), but more moderately. It continues to play its role as an adjustment variable, used to absorb fluctuations in activity without long-term commitments.

Fixed-term contracts saw a slight decline (-4%), but with a more mixed dynamic over the quarter. After a sharp drop in January (-8,5%), volumes rebounded in February (+3,9%) and then stabilized in March (+0,8%), suggesting a temporary adjustment at the beginning of the year rather than a continuous decline.

Conversely, apprenticeships stand out with a slight increase, with an average of 55.461 offers over the last twelve months in Q1 2026, representing a 1% increase compared to Q4 2025. In raw figures, the volume even exceeds the level observed in Q1 2025, with over 65.000 offers. After a 2025 heavily impacted by the apprenticeship funding reform, the start of 2026 suggests a stabilization, although volumes remain below the levels observed before the regulatory adjustments.

Contrasting regional dynamics

The geography of employment remained broadly stable in the first quarter of 2026, confirming a strong concentration in major economic regions. Île-de-France (15,9% of job offers) and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (14,3%) alone account for nearly three out of ten job offers nationwide.

However, the gap between these two regions is narrowing. In a market adjustment context, the dynamics appear more favorable to Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, which is limiting the decline to -3% compared to Q4 2025, versus -6% for Île-de-France. This trend reflects greater resilience in these regions, where demand remains driven by structurally strong sectors.

Brittany and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes are holding up better, driven by the personal services sector, where demand remains high. Conversely, other regions are experiencing more pronounced adjustments, such as Île-de-France, penalized by a significant decline in recruitment for sales positions, as well as for finance roles (accountants, management controllers), which have historically been more exposed to economic cycles and cost-cutting measures. The same is true for Normandy, impacted by the decrease in demand in industry, particularly for production operators and industrial maintenance technicians.

In major metropolitan areas, the slowdown in the job market is more pronounced than at the national level. The cumulative volume of job offers in the ten largest metropolitan areas fell by 6,4% in the first quarter of 2026. Paris (-8%) and Bordeaux (-7%) recorded the sharpest declines during the quarter. Conversely, Nantes (-4%) and Nice (-4%) experienced more limited adjustments.

Health and services are holding up well, but accounting is now lagging behind.

In a context of market slowdown, healthcare and social care professions confirm their central role, with continued positive momentum (+2%) and a significant share of job postings (14%). Personal and business services also maintain a key position (12% of postings), despite a slight decline (-4%), reflecting persistent demand.

Conversely, the decline in recruitment is spreading across several major occupational sectors. Industrial roles continue to see a downward trend, whether in industrial production and maintenance (-7%) or in industrial technician and engineering roles (-9%). Sales positions (-8%) are also continuing their decline. These trends are consistent with those observed in the fourth quarter of 2025, in a context of economic slowdown.

The new development at the start of this year concerns the accounting/management/finance functions (-6%), which are beginning to decline after having held up better until now. This reversal reflects a broadening of adjustments, which no longer only affect jobs directly linked to operations, but also support functions.

Finally, some functions are experiencing more pronounced declines, notably design and R&D offices (-12%) and construction (-10%), confirming increased pressure in sectors most sensitive to economic cycles.

Temporary work: industry and construction down, a more pronounced decline in retail

In the first quarter of 2026, temporary employment remained largely dominated by the major traditional sectors. Construction (23% of job offers) and industrial jobs continued to play a central role in recruitment. Overall, however, these sectors declined, reflecting a broader slowdown in activity, despite contrasting situations, with some sectors such as manufacturing and aerospace remaining more favorable.

Construction and public works (BTP) declined by 4% in the first quarter of 2026, in a still degraded environment marked by a slowdown in activity in the building sector and a level of construction starts that remains low.

A marked decline is noted in the distribution and retail sectors (-7%). This is part of a context of structural difficulties in the sector, particularly in non-food retail, marked by a drop in consumption and restructurings or closures of stores in recent months.

Caregiver, housekeeper and nurse: the jobs with the most job openings at the start of 2026

In the first quarter of 2026, jobs related to personal services confirmed their central place among the most sought-after, with home care aides and housekeepers leading the way, occupying two of the top three positions in permanent contracts.

Accounting functions also remain very present, with accounting staff, payroll managers and accounting assistants, demonstrating still structuring needs in management functions, despite a beginning of decline observed in these professions.

In the temporary staffing sector, the needs are still concentrated on operational and technical roles. Production operators and forklift drivers are at the top, confirming the central role of industry, while construction (masons, electricians) and healthcare (nurses) complete the ranking.

AI continues its rise to power

Job postings mentioning artificial intelligence continue to grow strongly, with a volume multiplied by 2,4 in three years (Q1 2023 vs Q1 2026), confirming the rapid integration of these skills into the needs of companies.

This dynamic remains highly concentrated, both geographically and sectorally. Île-de-France alone accounts for more than half of the offers (54%), far ahead of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (12%) and the other regions.

On a sectoral level, the needs are largely dominated by IT (53%) and data and AI professions (25%).

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.