The engineering, design studies and technical consulting market in France

Public engineering orders in France fell 15% in value in 2025 compared with 2024, according to the annual Vecteur Plus study for Syntec-Ingénierie published in April 2026. Adjusted for inflation, they are back to their pre-Covid-19 level. Building is down 27% in value. Local authorities account for 56% of volume and 47% of amounts, and municipalities now fund only 36% of local projects, against 41% on a five-year average.

Syntec-Ingénierie expects a significant contraction in construction and infrastructure activity in France in 2026 and 2027, after the 15% fall in public engineering orders in 2025. The federation points out that engineering is a leading indicator for the construction sector: when studies decline, building sites generally follow a year later. Energy renovation, public transport, climate adaptation of networks and sanitation are the main sources of projects for design offices.

By 2030, 45,000 jobs are expected to be created in engineering in France, plus 15,000 hires to replace retirements, according to an OPIIEC study carried out with Syntec-Ingénierie and published in October 2025. Needs are 55% for five-year degree profiles (Bac+5), 34% for two-year (Bac+2) and 11% for three- to four-year (Bac+3/4). Some 91% of staff in the sector are on permanent contracts, and growing enrolment in engineering schools is not enough to meet demand.

The engineering market in France combines large groups with a dense network of SMEs and specialist design offices. Assystem, a nuclear engineering specialist, generated €656.6m in revenue in 2025, of which €387.8m in France, according to its annual results. In geotechnics, Chantiers de France (July 2024) lists many nationwide design offices, such as Ginger CEBTP, with over 25 locations, or Rincent BTP Services.

Subclass 71.12B of Insee’s classification, “Ingénierie, études techniques”, covers in France the engineering of industrial machinery and processes, civil engineering, hydraulics, building and transport, geophysical and geological studies, construction project management and mapping information. It excludes architecture (71.11Z), technical inspection and testing (71.20B), IT consulting, research and development and construction economists, which are classified under other codes.

A PDF report in French, 2026 edition, organised in six chapters: definition and scope of engineering, market size and dynamics, public and private demand, supply and players, regulation and professional constraints, and the outlook to 2030.

Publications from Syntec-Ingénierie and OPIIEC, Insee classifications and statistics, reports from companies in the sector and trade press articles from the IndexPresse database. Every figure comes with its source and period.

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