The Sector Study is a biennial survey commissioned by the Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) and co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, that collects and analyses statistical, sociological and economic data on European architects, the architectural market and architectural practices. Based on responses from 30 700 architects in 26 European countries, the 2022 edition of the Study has been enriched with new research areas, making it, without doubt, the most comprehensive study on the architectural profession in Europe and an essential reference tool for all those interested in the architectural profession and the built environment.

The 2022 Sector Study shows that growth in numbers continues (+ 100 000 architects in the last ten years) and that architects are recovering from the pandemic. Sustainable architecture confirms a growing trend with 46% of architects “frequently” designing low-energy buildings. Private housing remains the most important sector with 89% of architectural practices involved in designing private housing, which provides 56% of average practice turnover. 

"In view of climate change, scarcity of resources and the energy crisis, Europe wants to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050. To achieve this transformation, the EU is explicitly addressing the built/living environment as part of a broader climate change and resilience strategy. In combination with the New European Bauhaus, the quality of the built and non built environment must be in the centre of the transformation. The future of the building sector lies in a new culture of conversion" stated Ruth Schagemann, ACE President. "European architects are highly engaged. They are well-equipped, and their work contributes significantly to the changes needed in Europe.”  

One of the report’s authors, Aziz Mirza, says: “This year’s ACE Sector Study shows that architects are recovering from the pandemic. Architects have returned to full-time working and the number unemployed has plummeted. Salaries have increased on the back of rising turnover. Together, architectural practices contribute 21 billion to Europe’s economy; not only a large figure but one that has grown by 24% since 2020. The popularity of architecture as a profession is evident as the number of architects has increased by more than 20% over the last ten years to reach 620,000.”   

DOWNLOAD THE 2022 ACE SECTOR STUDY

EXPLORE THE ACE OBSERVATORY 
The ACE 2022 Sector Study is also available on the ACE Observatory a new web platform dedicated to the architectural profession. The ACE Observatory is designed to complement the report, providing extra depth. It has been designed for use by Member Organisations, individual architects and anyone wanting to research the profession.

ON THE COVER
Photo credits for front cover: School Campus Neustift, Neustift im Stubaital, Austria Architect: fasch&fuchs architekten, Photographer: Hertha Hurnaus