The EU construction industry, a formidable economic engine valued at nearly €1.9 trillion, is not just pouring concrete but is reshaping the continent's landscape and future through a dynamic mix of robust growth, ambitious green initiatives, and unprecedented investment.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the total output of the EU construction sector was €1,877 billion, accounting for 5.4% of the EU27 GDP.
- The EU construction industry's value added grew by 2.1% in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching €512 billion.
- Between 2019 and 2023, the EU construction turnover increased by 12.5% in nominal terms.
- In 2022, the EU construction sector employed 13.3 million people directly.
- EU construction employment rate was 6.8% of total employment in 2022.
- Germany had 2.3 million construction workers in 2022.
- EU residential construction output was €650 billion in 2022.
- Non-residential building construction in EU: €450 billion turnover 2022.
- Civil engineering works in EU generated €777 billion in 2022.
- 40% of new EU buildings in 2022 were NZEB compliant.
- EU construction sector's CO2 emissions totaled 400 million tonnes in 2022.
- Share of renewable energy in EU building sector: 22% in 2022.
- EU public investment in green construction €50 billion in 2022.
- Private investment in EU construction €1.2 trillion in 2022.
- Recovery and Resilience Facility allocated €190 billion for construction by 2026.
The EU construction industry is a massive economic sector that is steadily growing and transforming.
Employment & Workforce
1In 2022, the EU construction sector employed 13.3 million people directly.
Verified2EU construction employment rate was 6.8% of total employment in 2022.
Verified3Germany had 2.3 million construction workers in 2022.
Verified4France employed 1.5 million in construction in 2023.
Directional5Italy's construction workforce numbered 1.2 million in 2022.
Single source6Spain construction employment reached 1.1 million in 2023.
Verified7Poland had 700,000 construction employees in 2022.
Verified8Netherlands construction jobs: 450,000 in 2022.
Verified9Average hourly labor cost in EU construction was €27.5 in 2022.
Directional10Sweden construction employment 300,000 in 2022.
Single source11Belgium 250,000 construction workers in 2022.
Verified12Austria construction jobs 280,000 in 2022.
Verified13Denmark 180,000 in construction employment 2022.
Verified14Finland construction workforce 200,000 in 2022.
Directional1525% of EU construction workers are self-employed.
Single source16Czech Republic 400,000 construction employees in 2022.
Verified17Hungary construction jobs 250,000 in 2022.
Verified18Romania 500,000 in construction workforce 2022.
Verified19Bulgaria construction employment 180,000 in 2022.
Directional20Slovakia 150,000 construction workers 2022.
Single source21Lithuania construction jobs 120,000 in 2022.
Verified22Latvia 80,000 in construction employment 2022.
Verified23Estonia construction workforce 60,000 in 2022.
Verified24Ireland 150,000 construction employees 2022.
Directional25Portugal construction jobs 300,000 in 2022.
Single source26Croatia construction employment 100,000 in 2022.
Verified27Slovenia 70,000 construction workers 2022.
VerifiedEmployment & Workforce Interpretation
While Germany shoulders the sector as its heavyweight champion and a quarter of all workers proudly fly the solo banner, the EU construction industry, with its 13.3 million-strong workforce, is quite literally the concrete foundation upon which the European economy is built.
Investments, Challenges & Outlook
1EU public investment in green construction €50 billion in 2022.
Verified2Private investment in EU construction €1.2 trillion in 2022.
Verified3Recovery and Resilience Facility allocated €190 billion for construction by 2026.
Verified4EU construction faces 25% labor shortage in skilled trades 2023.
Directional5Inflation in construction materials: 10% rise in 2022.
Single source6Germany invests €100 billion in infrastructure 2023-2027.
Verified7France MaPrimeRénov' scheme: €5 billion for renovations 2022.
Verified8Italy PNRR construction funding €110 billion to 2026.
Verified9Spain housing investment plan €3.4 billion 2022-2025.
Directional10Poland EU funds for construction €40 billion 2021-2027.
Single source11Cost overrun average in EU mega-projects: 20%.
Verified12Netherlands invests €80 billion in housing 2023-2030.
Verified13Sweden infrastructure budget SEK 700 billion 2023-2034.
Verified14EU construction insolvency rate up 15% in 2022.
Directional15Belgium NextGenerationEU €5 billion for green infra.
Single source16Austria housing subsidies €2 billion 2022.
Verified17Denmark construction forecast growth 1.5% 2024.
Verified18Supply chain delays affected 60% of EU projects 2022.
Verified19Finland invests €10 billion in rail 2023-2030.
Directional20EU digitalization investment gap in construction €100 billion.
Single sourceInvestments, Challenges & Outlook Interpretation
We're trying to build a greener, digital future on a massive scale, but the industry is currently held together by public money, duct tape, and a dwindling number of skilled workers who can't find materials that haven't doubled in price.
Market Size & Growth
1In 2022, the total output of the EU construction sector was €1,877 billion, accounting for 5.4% of the EU27 GDP.
Verified2The EU construction industry's value added grew by 2.1% in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching €512 billion.
Verified3Between 2019 and 2023, the EU construction turnover increased by 12.5% in nominal terms.
Verified4Germany's construction sector contributed €382 billion to the economy in 2022, the largest in the EU.
Directional5France's construction output was €294 billion in 2022, representing 12% of national GDP.
Single source6The EU construction market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.8% from 2024 to 2028.
Verified7In 2023, EU construction production index stood at 105.3 (2015=100).
Verified8Italy's construction sector turnover reached €220 billion in 2022.
Verified9Spain saw a 4.2% growth in construction output in 2023.
Directional10The Netherlands construction market size was €85 billion in 2022.
Single source11EU construction sector's gross value added per employee was €78,500 in 2022.
Verified12Poland's construction output grew 5.8% in 2023.
Verified13Sweden's construction industry valued at SEK 600 billion (€53 billion) in 2022.
Verified14Belgium construction turnover €45 billion in 2022.
Directional15EU average construction GDP share was 5.9% in 2021.
Single source16Austria's construction output €42 billion in 2022.
Verified17Denmark construction market €28 billion in 2022.
Verified18Finland construction turnover €25 billion in 2022.
Verified19Ireland construction value €15 billion in 2022.
Directional20Portugal construction output €20 billion in 2022.
Single source21Czech Republic construction grew 3.1% in 2023.
Verified22Hungary construction turnover HUF 8 trillion (€20 billion) in 2022.
Verified23Romania construction output RON 120 billion (€24 billion) in 2022.
Verified24Bulgaria construction grew 4.5% in 2023.
Directional25Slovakia construction €12 billion in 2022.
Single source26Lithuania construction turnover €6 billion in 2022.
Verified27Latvia construction output €3.5 billion in 2022.
Verified28Estonia construction €2.8 billion in 2022.
Verified29Croatia construction grew 2.8% in 2023.
Directional30Slovenia construction €5 billion in 2022.
Single sourceMarket Size & Growth Interpretation
Even in an era obsessed with digital disruption, the EU remains stubbornly built on brick-and-mortar brawn, where Germany's €382 billion concrete empire and France's 12% GDP citadel prove that while software may be eating the world, construction is still busy laying its foundation.
Subsector Performance
1EU residential construction output was €650 billion in 2022.
Verified2Non-residential building construction in EU: €450 billion turnover 2022.
Verified3Civil engineering works in EU generated €777 billion in 2022.
Verified4EU housing completions reached 1.7 million units in 2022.
Directional5Germany's residential construction: 250,000 dwellings completed 2022.
Single source6France new residential permits: 400,000 in 2022.
Verified7Italy non-residential construction €120 billion 2022.
Verified8Spain civil engineering output €100 billion 2022.
Verified9Poland residential building permits 200,000 in 2022.
Directional10Netherlands office construction completions 1.2 million m² 2022.
Single source11Sweden industrial construction €20 billion 2022.
Verified12Belgium road construction €10 billion 2022.
Verified13Austria residential output €25 billion 2022.
Verified14Denmark non-residential permits 5 million m² 2022.
Directional15Finland civil engineering €15 billion 2022.
Single source16EU share of residential in total construction: 35% in 2022.
Verified17Czech Republic housing starts 50,000 in 2022.
Verified18Hungary non-residential €15 billion 2022.
Verified19Romania civil engineering RON 60 billion 2022.
Directional20Bulgaria residential completions 20,000 units 2022.
Single source21Slovakia industrial construction €5 billion 2022.
Verified22Lithuania road works €2 billion 2022.
Verified23Latvia residential permits 15,000 2022.
Verified24Estonia non-residential €1.5 billion 2022.
Directional25Ireland civil engineering €8 billion 2022.
Single source26Portugal housing completions 40,000 2022.
Verified27Croatia office construction 0.5 million m² 2022.
Verified28Slovenia civil engineering €3 billion 2022.
VerifiedSubsector Performance Interpretation
While the EU's €777 billion civil engineering sector is laying the continent's backbone, the €650 billion residential industry is struggling to keep up with demand, leaving a housing gap so significant it’s a wonder we’re not all just camping under the new bridges.
Sustainability & Green Building
140% of new EU buildings in 2022 were NZEB compliant.
Verified2EU construction sector's CO2 emissions totaled 400 million tonnes in 2022.
Verified3Share of renewable energy in EU building sector: 22% in 2022.
Verified4Germany's green building certifications: 5,000 projects in 2022.
Directional5France energy renovation subsidies covered 500,000 homes in 2022.
Single source6Italy's nearly zero-energy buildings: 15% of new builds 2022.
Verified7Spain solar PV installations in construction: 10 GW in 2022.
Verified8Poland green public procurement in construction: 30% of projects 2022.
Verified9Netherlands circular construction materials use: 20% in 2022.
Directional10Sweden timber construction share: 25% in residential 2022.
Single source11EU EPC ratings: 5% of buildings A-rated in 2022.
Verified12Belgium low-carbon concrete use: 10% in new projects 2022.
Verified13Austria passive house certifications: 2,000 in 2022.
Verified14Denmark district heating in new builds: 60% coverage 2022.
Directional15Finland wood-based construction: 40% of new homes 2022.
Single source1615% reduction in EU construction waste per capita 2018-2022.
Verified17Czech Republic heat pump installations: 50,000 units 2022.
Verified18Hungary green roofs: 1 million m² installed 2022.
Verified19Romania energy-efficient retrofits: 100,000 buildings 2022.
Directional20Bulgaria LEED certified projects: 20 in 2022.
Single sourceSustainability & Green Building Interpretation
One could say the EU's construction industry is frantically dressing its new buildings in green while the vast, poorly-insulated existing stock remains in its thermal pyjamas.
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