“As the European consultancy and engineering industry moves into a phase of stabilisation, it is encouraging to see robust performance in key sectors like energy and transport/infrastructure, and continued solid profitability,” says Henrik Garver, Chair of EFCA’s Economic Environment Committee and CEO of the Danish Association of Consulting Engineers (FRI), introducing the Spring 2025 edition of EFCA’s Barometer report.
While the overall EFCA Market Index has declined by 9.7 points, marking a shift from growth to consolidation, more than half of the participating countries still report stable or improving market conditions. The industry’s order books remain strong, with future confirmed projects keeping firms busy for an average of 8.4 months. Profitability remains above average at 7.2%, reflecting sustained performance in a challenging macroeconomic environment.
The Barometer also highlights that the energy and transport/infrastructure sectors continue to lead growth across Europe, with demand for consulting engineering services driven by the green energy transition, security concerns, and infrastructure investment. While employment figures reflect a temporary cooling following last year’s strong growth, many markets are transitioning from rapid expansion to a more stable phase. The EFCA Employment Index saw a decline, nevertheless, expectations for the second half of 2025 are optimistic, with several countries anticipating steady or modestly increasing staff levels, signalling a resilient outlook for the industry. Henrik Garver adds: “The consulting engineering industry continues to show its strategic importance in delivering Europe’s transformation agendas. From energy security to climate resilience, our sector is enabling the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the continent.”
Persistent challenges remain. For the fourth year in a row, the shortage of qualified staff is the number one concern for firms. Political uncertainty has risen to become the second most pressing issue, followed by regulatory burdens. Despite these pressures, companies across Europe show confidence in stable turnover and margins for the months ahead.
The EFCA Barometer is based on responses from 21 national associations representing the consulting engineering sector across Europe. It provides a timely snapshot of market trends, employment outlooks, and strategic challenges enabling stakeholders to navigate the evolving economic landscape effectively.
Press contact: Sue Arundale
EDITOR’S NOTE
EFCA has member associations in 27 countries and is the sole European federation representing the business interests of professional engineering consultancy and related services, a sector that employs more than one million staff in Europe.