Skip to main content
Marsh logo

FUTURE OF CONSTRUCTION

Global Construction Outlook

21/09/2021 · 3 minute read

Key takeaways:

  • Oxford Economics estimate the global construction market was valued at US$10.7 trillion in 2020; US$5.7 trillion of this output was in emerging markets.
  • The global construction market is expected to grow by US$4.5 trillion between 2020 and 2030 to reach US$15.2 trillion with US$8.9 trillion in emerging markets in 2030.
  • Regional construction growth is expected to be highest in Sub-Saharan Africa followed by emerging Asia.
  • Four countries – China, India, US, and Indonesia – to account for 58.3% of global growth in construction.
  • Residential construction is predicted to drive short-term recovery while infrastructure spending propels medium-term outlook.
  • Urbanisation expected to turbo charge growth in emerging markets. Overall growth of the world’s population could add another 2.5 billion people to urban areas by 2050 with almost 90% of this happening within Asia and Africa.
  • Infrastructure development globally is heavily dependent on public spending. This means investment relies on the ability of governments to finance spending although long-term stable and index-linked returns from infrastructure are generally well matched to the needs of large superannuation funds.

REPORT

Future of Construction

For a complete analysis of  the global forecast for construction to 2030

Download report

Construction will be an economic driver over the medium term with growth averaging 4.4% between 2020 and 2025 –  higher than the estimated growth in both the manufacturing and service sectors. Over the period 2020 to 2030 growth in construction output is projected to average approximately 3.5% per annum.

Global headline sector growth
Source : Oxford Economics/Haver Analytics

Growth regionally is expected to be highest in Sub-Saharan Africa with average annual growth of 5.7% to 2030 as rising populations and rapid urbanisation provide powerful growth drivers — particularly in East Africa and West Africa.

Growth however will be concentrated in a small number of countries. Just four countries — China, India, US and Indonesia — account for 58.3% of global growth in construction between 2020 and 2030. The top ten markets account for almost 70% of the US$4.5 trillion growth over the next decade.

Contribution to global construction growth 2020-2030
2017 prices US$bn. Source : Oxford Economics/Haver Analytics

In 2021, residential construction activity is forecast to be the fastest growing sector globally at 7.1%. The residential sector accounted for 44% of total global construction in 2020 making it is the largest sub-sector and a key driver of global growth.

Construction of infrastructure will grow at 6.8% in 2021 and is predicted to be the fastest growing sub-sector to 2030 with expected average annual growth of almost 4%. This will be fuelled by emerging economies looking to develop energy, transport networks, sewage and waste systems, and other large-scale projects.

Growth in infrastructure construction 2020-2030
Growth in infrastructure construction 2020-2030

The level of government debt influences its capacity to spend on infrastructure construction; debt as a percentage of GDP is an indicator of long-term ability to finance developments.

Ability to finance public investment, 2020
Source : Oxford Economics/Haver Analytics 

Related insights

Placeholder Image

Article

Resilience in construction: How a positive safety culture can reduce risk

21/10/2024
Construction engineers discussion with architects at construction site or building site of highrise building with Surveying for making contour plans is a graphical representation of the lay in land.

Newsletter

Changes to minimum terms and conditions for regulated surveyors

07/10/2024
Civil engineer checking work with communication to management team in the construction site

Article

Emerging technology in construction – risks and opportunities

19/09/2024
Placeholder Image

Report

Construction insurance market update 2024: Australia

28/08/2024
View more