France monthly hourly labour cost index: construction
France monthly hourly labour cost index: construction stood at 144.8 in Jun 2026, according to INSEE – Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (BDM). It is one of the indicators in the Minimum wage and hourly labour cost table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Dec 2008 to Jun 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Minimum wage and hourly labour cost table
| Indicator | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | 10-2025 | 09-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly hourly labour cost | |||||||||||
| Total labour costs - Construction (NAF rev. 2, item F) | 144.8 | 144.6 | 144.4 | 144.2 | 144 | 143.8 | 143.6 | 143.1 | 142.6 | 142.1 | |
| Total labour costs - Distributive trades (NAF rev. 2, item G) | 140.7 | 140.4 | 140.2 | 139.9 | 139.7 | 139.6 | 139.4 | 139.1 | 138.8 | 138.6 |
Understanding france monthly hourly labour cost index: construction
Building and civil engineering employer expenditure indices quantify total hourly labour costs across structural construction, specialized trade contracting, and infrastructure development activities. This index incorporates direct wages, site allowances, statutory employer social contributions, and construction-specific insurance premiums per hour actually worked. It separates the physical building sector from manufacturing and real estate services, reflecting a project-based operational model with high sensitivity to weather conditions and economic cycles. Sibling rows track separate commercial or industrial segments.
Interpreting this construction cost measure requires careful handling of pronounced seasonal patterns driven by winter weather disruptions and traditional summer holiday slowdowns. Analysts should rely on seasonally adjusted figures or year-on-year comparisons to filter out these predictable calendar distortions. Subcontracting arrangements and the prevalence of temporary site workers can introduce volatility into monthly hourly calculations that may not mirror permanent staff trends. Revisions are common in early estimates as complex site-level payroll audits are finalized by statistical agencies.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this index cover real estate brokerage and property management?
- No, real estate services are tracked in a separate category; this series focuses strictly on physical construction.
- How do weather disruptions impact this hourly labour cost series?
- Adverse weather reduces hours actually worked and can alter productivity ratios, influencing the monthly index.
- Are specialized trade contractors included alongside general builders?
- Yes, specialized construction activities such as electrical installation and plumbing are fully integrated.