GITNUXREPORT 2025

Building Industry Statistics

Global construction valued at $12.6 trillion, shifting toward sustainability and technology.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Nearly 60% of construction firms report difficulty finding skilled labor

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Construction productivity has remained stagnant at around 1% annual growth over the past 20 years

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The global demand for construction labor is projected to grow by 12% between 2022 and 2030, driven by infrastructure and building projects

Statistic 4

Approximately 65% of construction firms report that project delays are primarily due to labor shortages and supply chain issues

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In 2022, the average wage for construction workers in Australia was approximately AUD 36 per hour

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The global construction labor productivity growth rate averaged just 1.2% annually from 2000 to 2020, indicating slow improvements

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Construction fatalities in the U.S. decreased by 14% from 2012 to 2021, totaling 1,043 deaths in 2021

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The use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in construction increases efficiency by up to 20% and reduces costs by 10-15%

Statistic 9

Nearly 80% of construction companies plan to increase their investment in technology in the next two years

Statistic 10

Approximately 50% of new construction projects utilize some form of automation or robotics, enhancing safety and efficiency

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The average age of a construction worker in the U.S. is over 42 years old

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The global construction industry was valued at approximately $12.6 trillion in 2021

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Construction accounts for nearly 13% of the global GDP

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The U.S. construction industry generated around $1.4 trillion in revenue in 2022

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The construction industry in China is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% from 2022 to 2027

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The average cost overrun in construction projects globally is approximately 30%

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The global green building materials market size was valued at $270 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $575 billion by 2027

Statistic 18

The U.S. residential construction permits issued in 2022 exceeded 1.66 million

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The global construction equipment market size was valued at $147 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $231 billion by 2028

Statistic 20

Approximately 20-30% of construction projects worldwide experience delays, often caused by poor planning, resource shortages, or weather

Statistic 21

In 2021, concrete production was about 4.1 billion metric tons globally

Statistic 22

The global construction chemicals market is expected to reach $70 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 6%

Statistic 23

Building insulation market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2021 to 2028, reaching $62 billion

Statistic 24

The number of non-residential construction projects started globally was approximately 165,000 in 2022

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The green building sector accounted for about 40% of new construction investment in Europe in 2021

Statistic 26

The global price of steel increased by over 70% between 2020 and 2022 due to supply chain disruptions

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The global market for smart building technology is projected to reach $57 billion by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 24%

Statistic 28

The average return on investment for sustainable construction is approximately 10%, with green buildings experiencing lower operational costs

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The global prefabricated construction market is expected to reach $191 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 6.4%

Statistic 30

The construction industry's percentage of total employment in the EU is approximately 5%, with around 13 million workers

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The number of LEED-certified projects worldwide surpassed 100,000 in 2022, indicating a significant shift towards sustainable buildings

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The global market for construction software is expected to grow from $3.2 billion in 2021 to over $8 billion by 2028, driven by automation and digitalization

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The number of newly constructed affordable housing units in the U.S. increased by 15% in 2022 compared to the previous year, addressing housing shortages

Statistic 34

The adoption rate of modular and prefabricated construction methods has increased by over 25% since 2018

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The average weight of a residential building in the U.S. is approximately 340 pounds per square foot

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The employment of women in the construction industry in the U.S. is around 10%, with efforts ongoing to improve diversity

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The average lifespan of a commercial building is approximately 50 years, but well-maintained structures may last over 100 years

Statistic 38

The adoption rate for green building certifications like LEED in new US commercial construction projects exceeded 40% in 2022

Statistic 39

The use of drones for site surveying increased by over 50% from 2020 to 2022, improving accuracy and safety

Statistic 40

The average cost of a new commercial building in the U.S. ranges from $300 to $600 per square foot, depending on location and specifications

Statistic 41

Approximately 90% of construction projects are now utilizing some form of digital project management tools, increasing collaboration and efficiency

Statistic 42

The average lifespan of a residential roof in the U.S. is about 20-25 years, depending on materials and maintenance

Statistic 43

The ratio of green buildings to conventional buildings increased from 4% in 2018 to 20% in 2022 globally, indicating rapid adoption

Statistic 44

The popularity of 3D printing in construction is rising, with over 150 projects completed worldwide as of 2023, mainly for housing and infrastructure

Statistic 45

The construction industry accounts for roughly 39% of all construction waste globally, but efforts to reduce waste have grown

Statistic 46

The amount of construction waste sent to landfills annually in the U.S. is estimated at around 170 million tons

Statistic 47

The construction industry’s carbon emissions account for roughly 39% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, highlighting the need for sustainable practices

Statistic 48

The percentage of green-certified buildings has increased by over 45% globally from 2019 to 2022, reflecting a shifting focus towards sustainability

Statistic 49

Innovations in construction technology have reduced material waste by up to 50% in some projects, improving sustainability efforts

Statistic 50

The use of sustainable materials in new construction projects increased by over 35% from 2018 to 2022, driven by regulatory and consumer demand

Statistic 51

The construction industry’s investment in sustainability practices has increased by over 25% in the last five years, reflecting a global shift toward greener buildings

Statistic 52

In 2022, over 70% of new construction projects aimed to achieve some form of environmental certification such as LEED or WELL, indicating a focus on healthier buildings

Statistic 53

The use of recycled concrete and asphalt in new projects increased by 50% between 2018 and 2022, reducing reliance on virgin materials

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Key Highlights

The global construction industry was valued at approximately $12.6 trillion in 2021
Construction accounts for nearly 13% of the global GDP
The U.S. construction industry generated around $1.4 trillion in revenue in 2022
The construction industry in China is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% from 2022 to 2027
The average cost overrun in construction projects globally is approximately 30%
The global green building materials market size was valued at $270 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $575 billion by 2027
Nearly 60% of construction firms report difficulty finding skilled labor
The average age of a construction worker in the U.S. is over 42 years old
Construction productivity has remained stagnant at around 1% annual growth over the past 20 years
The use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in construction increases efficiency by up to 20% and reduces costs by 10-15%
The U.S. residential construction permits issued in 2022 exceeded 1.66 million
The global construction equipment market size was valued at $147 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $231 billion by 2028
Approximately 20-30% of construction projects worldwide experience delays, often caused by poor planning, resource shortages, or weather

The global construction industry, valued at over $12.6 trillion and accounting for nearly 13% of GDP, is at a pivotal crossroads as it grapples with skilled labor shortages, rising costs, and a rapidly expanding green building sector driven by technological innovation and sustainability demand.

Construction Productivity and Workforce Dynamics

Nearly 60% of construction firms report difficulty finding skilled labor
Construction productivity has remained stagnant at around 1% annual growth over the past 20 years
The global demand for construction labor is projected to grow by 12% between 2022 and 2030, driven by infrastructure and building projects
Approximately 65% of construction firms report that project delays are primarily due to labor shortages and supply chain issues
In 2022, the average wage for construction workers in Australia was approximately AUD 36 per hour
The global construction labor productivity growth rate averaged just 1.2% annually from 2000 to 2020, indicating slow improvements

Construction Productivity and Workforce Dynamics Interpretation

With nearly 60% of firms struggling to find skilled labor amid only a sluggish 1% annual productivity uptick over two decades, the global construction industry faces a demand-supply imbalance—highlighted by a projected 12% surge in labor needs by 2030—making the pursuit of parity between effort and output as urgent as the rising hourly wages, which averaged AUD 36 in Australia in 2022.

Construction Safety and Workforce Dynamics

Construction fatalities in the U.S. decreased by 14% from 2012 to 2021, totaling 1,043 deaths in 2021

Construction Safety and Workforce Dynamics Interpretation

While a 14% drop in construction fatalities from 2012 to 2021 signals progress, the sobering toll of 1,043 lives lost in 2021 underscores the urgent need to convert safety measures into realities on every job site.

Construction Technologies and Innovation

The use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in construction increases efficiency by up to 20% and reduces costs by 10-15%
Nearly 80% of construction companies plan to increase their investment in technology in the next two years
Approximately 50% of new construction projects utilize some form of automation or robotics, enhancing safety and efficiency

Construction Technologies and Innovation Interpretation

With construction companies betting big on BIM, automation, and tech investments, the industry is clearly building a smarter, safer, and more cost-effective future—if only the blueprints could keep pace with the innovation.

Construction Workforce Dynamics

The average age of a construction worker in the U.S. is over 42 years old

Construction Workforce Dynamics Interpretation

With the average U.S. construction worker tipping the scales at over 42, it's clear that the industry is cemented in its golden years, underscoring a pressing need for fresh talent before the foundations of tomorrow begin to crack.

Market Size and Economic Impact

The global construction industry was valued at approximately $12.6 trillion in 2021
Construction accounts for nearly 13% of the global GDP
The U.S. construction industry generated around $1.4 trillion in revenue in 2022
The construction industry in China is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% from 2022 to 2027
The average cost overrun in construction projects globally is approximately 30%
The global green building materials market size was valued at $270 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $575 billion by 2027
The U.S. residential construction permits issued in 2022 exceeded 1.66 million
The global construction equipment market size was valued at $147 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $231 billion by 2028
Approximately 20-30% of construction projects worldwide experience delays, often caused by poor planning, resource shortages, or weather
In 2021, concrete production was about 4.1 billion metric tons globally
The global construction chemicals market is expected to reach $70 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 6%
Building insulation market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2021 to 2028, reaching $62 billion
The number of non-residential construction projects started globally was approximately 165,000 in 2022
The green building sector accounted for about 40% of new construction investment in Europe in 2021
The global price of steel increased by over 70% between 2020 and 2022 due to supply chain disruptions
The global market for smart building technology is projected to reach $57 billion by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 24%
The average return on investment for sustainable construction is approximately 10%, with green buildings experiencing lower operational costs
The global prefabricated construction market is expected to reach $191 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 6.4%
The construction industry's percentage of total employment in the EU is approximately 5%, with around 13 million workers
The number of LEED-certified projects worldwide surpassed 100,000 in 2022, indicating a significant shift towards sustainable buildings
The global market for construction software is expected to grow from $3.2 billion in 2021 to over $8 billion by 2028, driven by automation and digitalization
The number of newly constructed affordable housing units in the U.S. increased by 15% in 2022 compared to the previous year, addressing housing shortages

Market Size and Economic Impact Interpretation

With the construction sector's staggering $12.6 trillion valuation and a 30% average cost overrun, it's clear that while the industry is building the future, it still needs to master the blueprint of efficiency and sustainability.

Segmentation and Market Trends

The adoption rate of modular and prefabricated construction methods has increased by over 25% since 2018
The average weight of a residential building in the U.S. is approximately 340 pounds per square foot
The employment of women in the construction industry in the U.S. is around 10%, with efforts ongoing to improve diversity
The average lifespan of a commercial building is approximately 50 years, but well-maintained structures may last over 100 years
The adoption rate for green building certifications like LEED in new US commercial construction projects exceeded 40% in 2022
The use of drones for site surveying increased by over 50% from 2020 to 2022, improving accuracy and safety
The average cost of a new commercial building in the U.S. ranges from $300 to $600 per square foot, depending on location and specifications
Approximately 90% of construction projects are now utilizing some form of digital project management tools, increasing collaboration and efficiency
The average lifespan of a residential roof in the U.S. is about 20-25 years, depending on materials and maintenance
The ratio of green buildings to conventional buildings increased from 4% in 2018 to 20% in 2022 globally, indicating rapid adoption
The popularity of 3D printing in construction is rising, with over 150 projects completed worldwide as of 2023, mainly for housing and infrastructure

Segmentation and Market Trends Interpretation

From soaring green building adoption and drone surveys to the rise of 3D printing and the modest but crucial strides for women in construction, today’s industry reveals a balancing act of innovation, durability, and inclusivity—proof that even in a sector rooted in tradition, progress is building brick by brick.

Sustainable Building Practices and Environmental Impact

The construction industry accounts for roughly 39% of all construction waste globally, but efforts to reduce waste have grown
The amount of construction waste sent to landfills annually in the U.S. is estimated at around 170 million tons
The construction industry’s carbon emissions account for roughly 39% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, highlighting the need for sustainable practices
The percentage of green-certified buildings has increased by over 45% globally from 2019 to 2022, reflecting a shifting focus towards sustainability
Innovations in construction technology have reduced material waste by up to 50% in some projects, improving sustainability efforts
The use of sustainable materials in new construction projects increased by over 35% from 2018 to 2022, driven by regulatory and consumer demand
The construction industry’s investment in sustainability practices has increased by over 25% in the last five years, reflecting a global shift toward greener buildings
In 2022, over 70% of new construction projects aimed to achieve some form of environmental certification such as LEED or WELL, indicating a focus on healthier buildings
The use of recycled concrete and asphalt in new projects increased by 50% between 2018 and 2022, reducing reliance on virgin materials

Sustainable Building Practices and Environmental Impact Interpretation

Despite comprising nearly 40% of global construction waste and CO2 emissions, the industry is increasingly championing sustainability, with innovations cutting waste by half, a 45% surge in green-certified buildings, and a 50% rise in recycled materials—proving that even in construction, going green is no longer optional but essential.