August 2025
The August RIBA Future Workload Index stood at +2, a seven-point fall compared with last month's +9. While remaining positive overall, the near-term outlook for architects' workloads has fallen this month, driven by an ongoing deterioration in the outlook for the private housing sector.
All regions continue to expect workloads to grow. However, the sectoral outlook has seen some significant falls this month, with three of the four sectors now anticipating contracting workloads in the next three months. Confidence in the private housing sector has fallen most rapidly, from a high of +16 in May, the sector's Index now stands at -7. In contrast, the outlook for the commercial sector remains positive.
Although somewhat weakened, the positive outlook for both permanent and temporary staffing levels continued in August.
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 2025 are available at the bottom of this page.
You can also view the 2024 Future Trends survey results.
