GITNUXREPORT 2025

Construction Industry Statistics

Global construction industry worth $12 trillion, adopting green, digital solutions.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Around 30% of construction projects in the U.S. are finished late or over budget

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The average profit margin in the construction industry is approximately 6%

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The average cost of project delays in construction can be up to 10% of the project’s total cost

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The cost of steel reinforcement in construction can account for up to 10% of the total project budget

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The average lifespan of a building before renovation or demolition is about 50-75 years

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Construction projects account for around 13% of the world's energy consumption

Statistic 7

Construction waste accounts for approximately 40% of all solid waste in the U.S.

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Construction is responsible for about 35% of worldwide energy consumption during building operation

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Nearly 60% of new construction projects are adopting sustainable or green building practices

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The adoption rate of green certifications like LEED in new construction projects reached 35% globally in 2022

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Construction industry carbon emissions are estimated at approximately 12% of global emissions

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The global market for eco-friendly insulation materials is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2022 to 2028

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The global construction industry was valued at approximately $11.96 trillion in 2022

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The U.S. construction industry contributed about 4.2% to the GDP in 2022

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The global construction equipment market size was valued at $197 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow

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The global green building materials market was valued at $265 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $460 billion by 2027

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The adoption of modular construction can cut project timelines by 30-50%

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The construction industry is projected to grow by 8% globally from 2023 to 2030

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The global drywall market size was valued at $14 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $20 billion by 2025

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The use of 3D printing in construction is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 40% between 2022 and 2027

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The global waterproofing membrane market was valued at $9 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow

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The global prefabricated building market is projected to reach $155 billion by 2027

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High-rise construction accounted for nearly 40% of new commercial building starts in 2022

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The global market for construction adhesives is valued at approximately $9 billion and is expected to grow

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The global concrete admixtures market size was valued at $17 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow

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The global façade market is expected to reach $35 billion by 2027, influenced by green building trends

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Digital twins in construction are projected to grow at a CAGR of 35% from 2022 to 2028

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The average building costs for a new hospital in the U.S. range between $400 million and $1.5 billion

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The use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) can reduce construction project costs by up to 20%

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About 70% of construction firms expect to increase their investment in digital tools over the next five years

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Mobile construction technology usage increased by over 25% in 2021 among contractors

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The use of smart sensors in construction can improve structural health monitoring by over 30%

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The share of digitally integrated projects in construction reached 45% in 2023, up from 20% five years earlier

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

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The construction industry employs over 7 million people in the European Union

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About 25% of construction site accidents are fall-related

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The average time to complete a residential building project in the U.S. is 7-12 months

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The implementation of drones in construction sites can improve safety by reducing hazardous inspections

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About 15% of construction projects in the U.S. fail due to poor project management

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Approximately 60% of construction firms reported a shortage of skilled workers in 2022

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40% of construction companies view labor shortages as their primary challenge

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Construction workers face an average of 2.5 injuries per 100 full-time workers annually

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The construction industry faces a global labor shortage of approximately 40 million workers

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Approximately 20% of construction costs are spent on subcontractors

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The average cost of safety violations in the construction industry is estimated to be over $13,000 per incident

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The majority of construction firms (about 65%) are actively exploring automation technologies for future projects

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Construction firms that implement lean construction principles report up to 15% productivity improvement

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Key Highlights

The global construction industry was valued at approximately $11.96 trillion in 2022
Construction projects account for around 13% of the world's energy consumption
The U.S. construction industry contributed about 4.2% to the GDP in 2022
The global construction equipment market size was valued at $197 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow
Around 30% of construction projects in the U.S. are finished late or over budget
The average age of a construction worker in the U.S. is approximately 42 years
The construction industry employs over 7 million people in the European Union
The use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) can reduce construction project costs by up to 20%
The global green building materials market was valued at $265 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $460 billion by 2027
About 25% of construction site accidents are fall-related
The average time to complete a residential building project in the U.S. is 7-12 months
Construction waste accounts for approximately 40% of all solid waste in the U.S.
The adoption of modular construction can cut project timelines by 30-50%

The construction industry, a powerhouse valued at nearly $12 trillion globally and responsible for over a third of worldwide energy consumption, is rapidly transforming through technological innovations, sustainability efforts, and ongoing workforce challenges.

Construction Materials and Project Economics

Around 30% of construction projects in the U.S. are finished late or over budget
The average profit margin in the construction industry is approximately 6%
The average cost of project delays in construction can be up to 10% of the project’s total cost
The cost of steel reinforcement in construction can account for up to 10% of the total project budget
The average lifespan of a building before renovation or demolition is about 50-75 years

Construction Materials and Project Economics Interpretation

With nearly a third of projects running late or over budget and steel reinforcement costing up to 10% of the budget, it's clear that in construction, planning and precision are as essential as the structures we build, especially when buildings stand for half a century or more.

Environmental Sustainability and Green Building

Construction projects account for around 13% of the world's energy consumption
Construction waste accounts for approximately 40% of all solid waste in the U.S.
Construction is responsible for about 35% of worldwide energy consumption during building operation
Nearly 60% of new construction projects are adopting sustainable or green building practices
The adoption rate of green certifications like LEED in new construction projects reached 35% globally in 2022
Construction industry carbon emissions are estimated at approximately 12% of global emissions
The global market for eco-friendly insulation materials is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2022 to 2028

Environmental Sustainability and Green Building Interpretation

Despite making up just a fraction of the world's economy, the construction industry’s hefty energy footprint and waste generation underscore the urgent need for sustainable innovation, as green building practices and eco-friendly materials steadily gain ground amidst its significant contribution to global emissions.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The global construction industry was valued at approximately $11.96 trillion in 2022
The U.S. construction industry contributed about 4.2% to the GDP in 2022
The global construction equipment market size was valued at $197 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow
The global green building materials market was valued at $265 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $460 billion by 2027
The adoption of modular construction can cut project timelines by 30-50%
The construction industry is projected to grow by 8% globally from 2023 to 2030
The global drywall market size was valued at $14 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $20 billion by 2025
The use of 3D printing in construction is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 40% between 2022 and 2027
The global waterproofing membrane market was valued at $9 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow
The global prefabricated building market is projected to reach $155 billion by 2027
High-rise construction accounted for nearly 40% of new commercial building starts in 2022
The global market for construction adhesives is valued at approximately $9 billion and is expected to grow
The global concrete admixtures market size was valued at $17 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow
The global façade market is expected to reach $35 billion by 2027, influenced by green building trends
Digital twins in construction are projected to grow at a CAGR of 35% from 2022 to 2028
The average building costs for a new hospital in the U.S. range between $400 million and $1.5 billion

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

With a market footprint edging toward $12 trillion and innovative strides from green materials to 3D printing, the construction industry is not just building structures but laying the groundwork for a sustainable, tech-driven boom—even if it doesn’t always happen overnight.

Technological Innovations and Digitalization

The use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) can reduce construction project costs by up to 20%
About 70% of construction firms expect to increase their investment in digital tools over the next five years
Mobile construction technology usage increased by over 25% in 2021 among contractors
The use of smart sensors in construction can improve structural health monitoring by over 30%
The share of digitally integrated projects in construction reached 45% in 2023, up from 20% five years earlier

Technological Innovations and Digitalization Interpretation

As the construction industry rapidly embraces digital tools—from BIM slashing costs by 20% to smart sensors boosting structural health by over 30%—it's clear that brick by brick, it’s building a smarter, more cost-effective, and future-ready skyline.

Workforce and Safety

The average age of a construction worker in the U.S. is approximately 42 years
The construction industry employs over 7 million people in the European Union
About 25% of construction site accidents are fall-related
The average time to complete a residential building project in the U.S. is 7-12 months
The implementation of drones in construction sites can improve safety by reducing hazardous inspections
About 15% of construction projects in the U.S. fail due to poor project management
Approximately 60% of construction firms reported a shortage of skilled workers in 2022
40% of construction companies view labor shortages as their primary challenge
Construction workers face an average of 2.5 injuries per 100 full-time workers annually
The construction industry faces a global labor shortage of approximately 40 million workers
Approximately 20% of construction costs are spent on subcontractors
The average cost of safety violations in the construction industry is estimated to be over $13,000 per incident
The majority of construction firms (about 65%) are actively exploring automation technologies for future projects
Construction firms that implement lean construction principles report up to 15% productivity improvement

Workforce and Safety Interpretation

With a workforce aging at an average of 42 and a global labor shortage looming at 40 million, the construction industry must urgently bridge safety, management, and technological gaps—lest progress be overtaken by falling behind.