Construction materials link labor, supply chains, and building activity across regions—affecting jobs, trade, and the cost of new projects. On this page, explore the industry’s global scale and key markets, from steel trade volumes to cement’s role in construction. You’ll also see how 2023 pricing moved for commodities like cement and rebar, plus how recycling, waste trends, and emissions pressures are reshaping production.
Key Takeaways
- Global construction materials industry employed 12 million direct workers in 2023.
- U.S. construction materials manufacturing jobs 650,000 in 2023.
- China construction materials sector 5 million employees 2023.
- The global construction materials market was valued at USD 1.05 trillion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 1.56 trillion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.1%.
- U.S. construction materials market revenue reached $147.5 billion in 2023, up 4.2% from 2022.
- Cement segment dominated the construction materials market with 35% share in 2023 globally.
- Global average cement price was $120 per metric ton in Q4 2023.
- U.S. Portland cement average price $135/ton in 2023, up 8% from 2022.
- China cement price averaged CNY 450/ton in 2023, peaked at 550.
- Worldwide cement production reached 4.1 billion metric tons in 2023.
- U.S. Portland cement production was 90 million metric tons in 2023.
- China produced 2.2 billion metric tons of cement in 2023, 52% of global total.
- Global cement industry CO2 emissions totaled 2.3 billion tons in 2023, 8% of total anthropogenic.
- U.S. cement plants reduced CO2 intensity by 15% from 2010-2023 via efficiency.
- 40% of construction materials waste recycled globally in 2023.
Construction materials are booming and employing millions worldwide, with steel and cement output rising alongside sustainability efforts.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment And Trade29 stats
01
Global construction materials industry employed 12 million direct workers in 2023.
02
U.S. construction materials manufacturing jobs 650,000 in 2023.
03
China construction materials sector 5 million employees 2023.
04
World steel trade for construction 400 million tons in 2023.
05
India cement industry 1.2 million direct jobs 2023.
06
EU construction materials trade €250 billion in 2023.
07
U.S. cement exports 2.5 million tons in 2023.
08
Global aggregates trade volume 300 million tons 2023.
09
Brazil materials exports $15 billion in 2023.
10
Russia construction materials employment 800,000 in 2023.
11
Vietnam cement exports 30 million tons 2023.
12
U.S. materials manufacturing trade surplus $20 billion 2023.
13
Turkey cement exports 20 million tons 2023.
14
Global gypsum trade 15 million tons 2023.
15
Egypt construction materials jobs 400,000 2023.
16
Saudi imports of steel $10 billion for construction 2023.
17
Canada cement industry 12,000 employees 2023.
18
Asphalt global trade 50 million tons 2023.
19
South Africa materials exports ZAR 50 billion 2023.
20
Precast concrete trade intra-EU €5 billion 2023.
21
Thailand cement exports 8 million tons 2023.
22
Global bricks trade 100 billion units 2023.
23
Australia construction materials employment 250,000 2023.
24
Mexico steel imports 20 million tons for construction 2023.
25
Lime global exports 10 million tons 2023.
26
UK construction products manufacturing 200,000 jobs 2023.
27
Indonesia cement exports 1.5 million tons 2023.
28
U.S. safety incident rate in materials mfg 1.8 per 100 workers 2023.
29
Global trade in insulation materials $30 billion 2023.
Interpretation
Employment And Trade Interpretation
In 2023, employment and trade in construction materials were tightly linked across major markets, with 12 million direct global workers supporting volumes like 400 million tons of steel traded worldwide and major national workforces such as 650,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs, 5 million in China, and 1.2 million in India’s cement industry, alongside €250 billion in EU trade.
02 · Category
Market Size And Growth30 stats
01
The global construction materials market was valued at USD 1.05 trillion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 1.56 trillion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.1%.
02
U.S. construction materials market revenue reached $147.5 billion in 2023, up 4.2% from 2022.
03
Cement segment dominated the construction materials market with 35% share in 2023 globally.
04
Asia-Pacific construction materials market grew at 6.8% CAGR from 2018-2023, largest regional share at 45%.
05
Global aggregates market size was $42.3 billion in 2022, expected to hit $58.9 billion by 2030 at 4.2% CAGR.
06
Steel for construction market valued at $287 billion in 2023, projected CAGR 5.5% to 2030.
07
Europe construction materials market at €450 billion in 2022, growth slowed to 2.1% in 2023.
08
Concrete admixtures market reached $14.6 billion in 2023, CAGR 5.9% forecast to 2030.
09
Global ready-mix concrete market size $763 billion in 2022, growing to $1,112 billion by 2030 at 4.8% CAGR.
10
U.S. cement market revenue $12.8 billion in 2023, 3.5% YoY growth.
11
Precast concrete market global value $140 billion in 2023, CAGR 5.2% to 2030.
12
Insulation materials market hit $68.5 billion in 2022, projected 5.7% CAGR.
13
China construction materials output value RMB 8.5 trillion in 2023, up 5.3%.
14
Global drywall market size $55.2 billion in 2023, 4.9% CAGR expected.
15
Roofing materials market valued at $112 billion in 2022, to reach $168 billion by 2032 at 4.2% CAGR.
16
India construction materials market $85 billion in 2023, CAGR 7.1% forecast.
17
Asphalt market for construction $70.4 billion in 2023, growing at 4.5% CAGR.
18
Global tiles market $150 billion in 2022, 5.3% CAGR to 2030.
19
Brazil construction materials sector revenue BRL 250 billion in 2023, 3.8% growth.
20
Glass for construction market $45 billion in 2023, CAGR 6.1%.
21
Middle East construction materials market $120 billion in 2022, 4.7% CAGR.
22
PVC pipes for construction $25.6 billion in 2023, 5.4% growth projected.
23
Africa construction materials market $35 billion in 2023, CAGR 6.2%.
24
Timber/building products market $280 billion globally in 2022, 4.1% CAGR.
25
Aluminum for construction $95 billion in 2023, 5.0% YoY.
26
Global bricks market $120 billion in 2023, growing 4.3% CAGR.
27
UK construction materials turnover £40 billion in 2023, up 2.9%.
28
Sand and gravel market $40 billion in 2022, 4.6% CAGR to 2030.
29
Paints and coatings for construction $45 billion in 2023, 5.2% growth.
30
Global construction chemicals market $55 billion in 2023, CAGR 5.8%.
Interpretation
Market Size And Growth Interpretation
The construction materials market is expanding strongly, rising from USD 1.05 trillion in 2022 to a projected USD 1.56 trillion by 2030, with Asia Pacific leading regional momentum at a 6.8% CAGR from 2018 to 2023, underscoring solid Market Size and Growth opportunities across key material segments.
03 · Category
Price Fluctuations28 stats
01
Global average cement price was $120per metric ton in Q4 2023.
02
U.S. Portland cement average price $135/ton in 2023, up 8% from 2022.
03
China cement price averaged CNY 450/ton in 2023, peaked at 550.
04
Global rebar steel price $650/ton average in 2023.
05
India cement prices rose 12% YoY to INR 6,200/ton in 2023.
06
U.S. ready-mix concrete $150/cubic yard average 2023.
07
EU cement price €110/ton in 2023, up from €95 in 2022.
08
Global aggregates price $15/ton average in 2023.
09
Brazil cement $85/ton average 2023.
10
Hot-rolled coil steel for construction $700/ton global avg 2023.
11
Vietnam cement price VND 1.4 million/ton in 2023.
12
U.S. sand price $12/ton for construction in 2023.
13
Russia cement 5,500 RUB/ton avg 2023.
14
Global gypsum board $250/1,000 sq ft in 2023.
15
Turkey cement export price $55/ton FOB 2023.
16
U.S. crushed stone $11.50/ton metric 2023.
17
Egypt cement $70/ton domestic 2023.
18
Global asphalt $500/ton avg 2023.
19
Saudi cement SAR 250/ton 2023.
20
Canada aggregates CAD 20/ton 2023.
21
Concrete admixtures $2,500/ton global 2023.
22
South Africa cement ZAR 1,200/ton 2023.
23
U.S. precast concrete elements $200/cubic meter avg 2023.
24
Thailand cement THB 2,000/ton 2023.
25
Global clay bricks $0.50/unit avg 2023.
26
Australia cement AUD 180/ton 2023.
27
Mexico cement MXN 1,500/ton 2023.
28
World lime $150/ton avg 2023.
Interpretation
Price Fluctuations Interpretation
Across major markets, construction materials prices were broadly higher in 2023, with cement alone jumping such as the U.S. Portland cement rising 8% to $135 per ton and China averaging CNY 450 per ton with a peak at 550, underscoring clear price fluctuations rather than stable levels.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production Volumes30 stats
01
Worldwide cement production reached 4.1 billion metric tons in 2023.
02
U.S. Portland cement production was 90 million metric tons in 2023.
03
China produced 2.2 billion metric tons of cement in 2023, 52% of global total.
04
Global crude steel production for construction hit 1.88 billion tons in 2023.
05
India cement output 380 million tons in FY2023, up 10% YoY.
06
U.S. aggregates production 2.1 billion metric tons in 2023.
07
EU-27 cement production 166 million tons in 2022.
08
Global ready-mix concrete production 5.2 billion cubic meters in 2023.
09
Brazil cement production 52 million tons in 2023.
10
World clinker production 4.0 billion tons in 2023.
11
U.S. steel production for buildings 45 million tons in 2023.
12
Vietnam cement output 98 million tons in 2023.
13
Global sand production for construction 50 billion tons annually average 2020-2023.
14
Russia cement production 58 million tons in 2023.
15
U.S. ready-mix concrete 450 million cubic yards in 2023.
16
Indonesia cement production 65 million tons in 2023.
17
Global gypsum production 250 million tons in 2023.
18
Turkey clinker production 75 million tons in 2023.
19
U.S. crushed stone production 1.5 billion tons in 2023.
20
Egypt cement output 55 million tons in 2023.
21
Global concrete blocks production 3 billion cubic meters in 2023.
22
Saudi Arabia cement production 38 million tons in 2023.
23
Canada aggregates output 400 million tons in 2023.
24
Global asphalt production 120 million tons for roads/construction in 2023.
25
South Africa cement 13 million tons in 2023.
26
U.S. precast concrete elements 120 million tons equivalent in 2023.
27
Thailand cement production 32 million tons in 2023.
28
Global bricks production 4.5 trillion units in 2023.
29
Australia cement output 5.5 million tons in 2023.
30
Mexico cement production 42 million tons in 2023.
Interpretation
Production Volumes Interpretation
In the Production Volumes picture, cement dominates global scale with 4.1 billion metric tons produced in 2023, led by China at 2.2 billion tons or 52% of the world total, while major markets like the U.S. and India add another 90 million and 380 million tons respectively and steel for construction reaches 1.88 billion tons worldwide.
05 · Category
Sustainability Metrics30 stats
01
Global cement industry CO2 emissions totaled 2.3 billion tons in 2023, 8% of total anthropogenic.
02
U.S. cement plants reduced CO2 intensity by 15% from 2010-2023 via efficiency.
03
40% of construction materials waste recycled globally in 2023.
04
China cement sector carbon capture utilization reached 10 million tons CO2 in 2023.
05
Global low-carbon concrete adoption grew 25% YoY in 2023.
06
EU construction materials 30% recycled content average in 2023.
07
Water usage in cement production averaged 100 liters/ton globally 2023.
08
U.S. green building materials market share 12% of total in 2023.
09
Global steel recycling rate in construction 85% in 2023.
10
India cement plants 20% using alternative fuels in 2023, saving 5 million tons coal.
11
Aggregates recycling rate 70% in Europe 2023.
12
Global construction dust emissions reduced 18% industry-wide 2018-2023.
13
Brazilian cement CO2 emissions per ton dropped to 0.55 tons in 2023.
14
25% of global gypsum from recycled content in 2023.
15
Vietnam cement alternative raw materials use 15% in 2023.
16
U.S. concrete recycling 140 million tons in 2023.
17
Russia construction materials energy intensity down 12% 2020-2023.
18
Global sustainable timber certification (FSC) covered 45% construction wood 2023.
19
Turkey cement thermal substitution rate 35% in 2023.
20
Insulation materials R-value efficiency improved 22% globally 2015-2023.
21
Egypt green cement production 10% market share 2023.
22
Saudi construction waste recycling 40% in 2023.
23
Canada cement clinker factor reduced to 72% in 2023.
24
Asphalt recycling hot-mix 25% average globally 2023.
25
South Africa bricks energy use down 15% with new kilns 2023.
26
Precast concrete water savings 30% vs site-mixed 2023.
27
Thailand cement refuse-derived fuel 20% substitution 2023.
28
Global bricks fly ash usage 30% in concrete bricks 2023.
29
Australia recycled glass in concrete 5% average 2023.
30
Mexico cement CO2 0.62 tons/ton cement 2023.
Interpretation
Sustainability Metrics Interpretation
Sustainability progress is accelerating in construction materials, with global low-carbon concrete adoption rising 25% year over year in 2023 alongside a 15% improvement in U.S. cement CO2 intensity from 2010 to 2023, while recycling and carbon capture expand with 40% of waste recycled globally and China reaching 10 million tons of CO2 captured and utilized in 2023.
report visual · Comparison
Construction Materials: Employment and Trade (2023)
Highlights major employment and trade figures across key regions and materials using a consistent bar layout.
U.S. construction materials manufacturing jobs 650,000 in 2023.650,000
Australia construction materials employment 250,000 2023.250,000
World steel trade for construction 400 million tons in 2023.400
Asphalt global trade 50 million tons 2023.50
Global construction materials industry employed 12 million direct workers in 2023.12
China construction materials sector 5 million employees 2023.5
report visual · Projection
Construction materials market is expanding steadily toward 2030
Global construction materials demand is forecast to grow at a mid-single-digit CAGR through 2030, with notable regional momentum.
6.8 CAGR / growth rate
Start
-9.19%
CAGR · 5y
4.2 CAGR / growth rate
Projected
20222027
report visual · Key figures
Construction materials: price levels (2023)
Prices vary widely across key inputs—cement, steel, and aggregates—highlighting uneven cost pressure across regions and material types.
$120
Global average cement price was $120 per metric ton in Q4 2023.
€110
EU cement price €110/ton in 2023, up from €95 in 2022.
$650
Global rebar steel price $650/ton average in 2023.
$700
Hot-rolled coil steel for construction $700/ton global avg 2023.
$15
Global aggregates price $15/ton average in 2023.
$11.50
U.S. crushed stone $11.50/ton metric 2023.
report visual · Comparison
Construction materials: production scale across key categories (2023)
Cement dominates global output by volume, while other construction materials and outputs remain far smaller by direct unit scale (e.g., steel in tons vs. concrete in cubic meters).
Global ready-mix concrete production 5.2 billion cubic meters in 2023.5.2
Worldwide cement production reached 4.1 billion metric tons in 2023.
4.1
Global concrete blocks production 3 billion cubic meters in 2023.
3
Global crude steel production for construction hit 1.88 billion tons in 2023.
1.88
report visual · Breakdown
Construction materials sustainability: circularity & low-carbon uptake
Recycling and alternative inputs are rising across the sector, alongside growing adoption of low-carbon concrete approaches.
15%
U.S. cement plants reduced CO2 intensity by 15% from 2010-2023 via efficiency.
85%
Global steel recycling rate in construction 85% in 2023.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Min-ji Park. (2026, February 13). Construction Materials Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/construction-materials-industry-statistics
MLA
Min-ji Park. "Construction Materials Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/construction-materials-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Min-ji Park. 2026. "Construction Materials Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/construction-materials-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
93 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level