January 2023
In January, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index fell by three points to post a balance figure of -11. Although this is a slight softening in outlook compared to December, the Index remains improved compared to the recent low of -21 in November 2022.
Eighteen per cent of practices expect workloads to increase in the coming three months, and fifty-four per cent expect them to remain the same. Over a quarter (28%) expect workloads to decrease.
At the end of January, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted that the UK will be the only G7 country to suffer an economic contraction this year. It was against this ominous backdrop that the RIBA Economics Panel held its first webinar of 2023, bringing together insights from the Construction Products Association, represented by its economics director Noble Francis, and RIBA, represented by its head of economic research and analysis Adrian Malleson.
Read more and watch the full RIBA Economics panel video on RIBA Journal.
About RIBA Future Trends
Launched as part of a suite of economy focused initiatives, the survey is completed monthly by a sample representing a cross section of members. The survey is focused on areas in which members may face potential difficulties, including workload, staff levels and work in specific sectors.
Monthly results are independently analysed to identify the employment and business trends affecting the profession and to help to identify implications for the profession and inform further RIBA activities.
The Future Trends survey was devised by the RIBA Research and Development and Practice departments and launched in January 2009. It is run in collaboration with The Fees Bureau, which conducts the surveys and analyses the data.
The reports for 2023 are available at the bottom of this page.
You can also view the 2022 Future Trends survey results.
