The HCOB Construction PMI in France edged down to 43.4 in December 2025 from 43.6 in November, marking the 43rd consecutive month of contraction. Activity was weighed down by a steep decline in new orders, reflecting persistently weak demand and fewer calls for tender. This prompted firms to retrench further by cutting employment and purchasing volumes. Across the three sub-sectors, civil engineering was the main drag, with activity declining at the fastest pace since last February. Meanwhile, residential building work fell at the softest rate since August 2022 and commercial construction recorded its slowest drop in four months. Looking ahead, sentiment among French construction firms deteriorated further, with expectations for activity over the next 12 months falling to the lowest level since October 2014.