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    Take ten minutes to share your thoughts on the skills challenge currently affecting the future of surveying globally.

    Start the survey

    • 10 minutes or less of your time
    • Confidential
    • Globally impactful

    We need your support: be a part of the 2026 global skills report

    Skills shortages alongside fast-paced changes in tech, the environment and the economic landscape are reshaping the surveying profession. This survey aims to measure the skills gap and identify what the barriers are to closing it.

    Take part

    “Surveying is coming up against a rapidly changing world. Your input will provide the data-driven insights needed to further understand the scale of the skills gap and identify what needs to change.”

    Simon Rubinsohn

    Chief Economist, RICS

    What’s new this year: a closer look at AI readiness and sustainability skills

    For 2026, the survey will place a greater focus on AI and sustainability skills. We also intend to provide deeper regional insights and offer perspectives from leading RICS members in different global regions.

    Take part

    “Surveyors play a vital role in shaping the built and natural environments that surround us. This survey invites you to share your experiences; why you became a surveyor, the challenges you face, and what needs to change so that we can strengthen the skills needed for the future of the profession.”

    Robyn McKenna

    Chief Product Development Officer, RICS

    Frequently asked questions

    The survey runs once each year during June-July. It runs independently of any other research.

    To ensure impartiality and confidentiality, RICS has appointed Savanta, an independent market research agency, to conduct the survey. For more information on your data rights, please refer to Savanta’s privacy policy.

    You will receive an email invitation from Rics@savanta-surveys.com between Monday 22 June and Friday 24 July, depending on where you are across the globe with an invitation from Justin Young, CEO, RICS, and a unique link to participate in the survey. You will see reminders about the skills survey in our social channels, rics.org (News & Insights), myRICS Community, News updates across the regions, the All-Profession email as well as receive reminders via email from Savanta containing your unique survey link.

    Field work is open for approximately five weeks from Monday 22 June to ensure a good response rate globally. It will close on Friday 24 July.

    This survey is carried out by Savanta, an independent market research company on behalf of RICS. This research is being conducted in accordance with the Market Research Society Code of Conduct and Data Protection Act 2018.

    If you have any questions about this research and want to speak to someone at Savanta directly, please contact joshua.stoppardholden@savanta.com for more information.

    Yes, alongside the unique link sent to RICS professionals and contacts, there is also a generic link which we can provide via our social channels to complete the survey. You can access the generic version of the survey here.

    The survey will be available in English, French, German, Spanish and Chinese. You will be able to select the language you prefer when you start the survey. The email invite and reminders are also sent out in these five languages, dependent on where you are located.

    We aim to provide high level results and findings from the survey in Q4 of 2026.

    Surveys conducted by Professional bodies are very different to the type of public ‘opinion’ surveys you see published in newspapers. A good benchmark is anything above 4% of the total sample. Our response rate to RICS surveys has varied considerably over the last few years from under 4% to over 10%. It’s important that all RICS professionals and stakeholders have their say on surveying skills shortages and the future of surveying skills. The skills survey is an opportunity for members and stakeholders to share their views and experience, to help RICS shine a light on what needs to be done to help close the skills gap. This matters not just for the profession, but for the public, who rely on us to maintain high standards in everything we do.

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    This month I have news of two significant streams of work, intended to accelerate progress on issues that cut to the core of our profession and its impact on society: skills and sustainability.