December 2022
After five months of declining confidence, 2022 ended with an uptick. Whilst remaining negative, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index returned a balance figure of -8 in December; a 13-point jump compared to November's balance figure of -21.
Overall, 2022 saw architects' confidence deteriorate. The RIBA Future Trends Workload Index slipped from a positive outlook (of +18) in January, to end with a negative outlook. The high point of the year was +23 in February and the low was in November, -21.
For the year, the average index figure was +1. This compares to +21 in 2021, and -7 in 2020.
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 2022 are available at the bottom of this page.
You can also view the current 2023 Future Trends survey results, and the previous 2021 Future Trends survey results.
