GITNUXREPORT 2026

Germany Construction Industry Statistics

Germany's construction industry grew modestly in 2023 despite economic challenges and a housing slowdown.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In 2023, Germany issued 245,300 building permits for residential units, down 12.5% from 2022.

Statistic 2

Total living space approved in building permits was 72.1 million m² in 2023.

Statistic 3

Completions of residential buildings totalled 178,900 units in 2023, a decrease of 8.4%.

Statistic 4

Non-residential building permits covered 45.2 million m² in 2023.

Statistic 5

In 2023, 1,456 new residential buildings were completed, averaging 123 units each.

Statistic 6

Building permits for single-family homes numbered 45,200 in 2023, down 15%.

Statistic 7

Completion rate for permitted residential floor space was 85% in 2023.

Statistic 8

Office building completions totalled 2.1 million m² in 2023.

Statistic 9

Permits for civil engineering projects increased by 5.2% in volume to 28.4 million m³ in 2023.

Statistic 10

Average processing time for building permits was 3.2 months in 2023.

Statistic 11

Multi-family house permits fell 14.3% to 145,600 units in 2023.

Statistic 12

Industrial building completions reached 1.8 million m² usable space in 2023.

Statistic 13

Rejection rate for building permits was 4.1% in 2023 due to zoning issues.

Statistic 14

New completions in social housing numbered 12,500 units in 2023.

Statistic 15

In 2023, the German construction sector's total turnover reached €421.3 billion, marking a 2.1% increase from 2022 despite inflationary pressures.

Statistic 16

The construction industry's contribution to Germany's GDP stood at 5.4% in 2023, with nominal growth of 3.8% year-over-year.

Statistic 17

Germany's construction output volume index rose by 1.2% in 2023 compared to 2022, adjusted for price changes.

Statistic 18

In Q4 2023, the construction industry's turnover increased by 0.8% month-over-month, reaching €104.5 billion seasonally adjusted.

Statistic 19

The value added by the German construction sector was €208.7 billion in 2022, with a real growth rate of -0.5%.

Statistic 20

Construction investment in Germany amounted to €297 billion in 2023, accounting for 7.2% of gross fixed capital formation.

Statistic 21

The German construction market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.5% from 2024 to 2028, reaching €450 billion by 2028.

Statistic 22

In 2023, building construction turnover was €284.2 billion, while civil engineering contributed €137.1 billion.

Statistic 23

Nominal construction turnover grew by 4.2% in 2023, driven by higher prices, but real terms showed stagnation.

Statistic 24

The construction sector's gross value added per employee averaged €78,500 in 2022.

Statistic 25

Germany's construction productivity index stood at 102.3 in 2023 (base 2015=100).

Statistic 26

Export turnover from German construction-related services reached €12.4 billion in 2023.

Statistic 27

The sector's intermediate input ratio was 68.5% of turnover in 2022.

Statistic 28

Construction investment as a percentage of GDP was 6.8% in 2023.

Statistic 29

Real construction output declined by 1.1% in new orders during 2023.

Statistic 30

The German construction employment totalled 2.38 million in 2023, up 1.5% from 2022.

Statistic 31

Construction sector unemployment rate was 3.2% in Germany in 2023, below the national average of 5.9%.

Statistic 32

Average monthly gross earnings in construction reached €4,120 in 2023, a 5.8% increase year-over-year.

Statistic 33

Women comprised 12.4% of the construction workforce in Germany in 2023.

Statistic 34

There were 67,200 construction companies employing over 20 workers in 2022.

Statistic 35

Skilled worker shortage affected 45% of construction firms in Germany in 2023 survey.

Statistic 36

Part-time employment in construction was 8.7% of total hours in 2023.

Statistic 37

Apprenticeships in construction numbered 128,500 in 2023, covering 15 trades.

Statistic 38

Labor productivity in construction grew by 1.8% in 2023 to €72,300 per full-time equivalent.

Statistic 39

Foreign workers made up 18.2% of construction employment in 2023, mainly from Poland and Romania.

Statistic 40

Overtime hours in construction averaged 2.4 hours per week per employee in 2023.

Statistic 41

Construction firms reported 32% vacancy rate for skilled trades in 2023.

Statistic 42

Self-employment in construction accounted for 22.5% of the workforce in 2022.

Statistic 43

Youth unemployment in construction was 2.8% in 2023.

Statistic 44

Digital skills training covered 15% of construction workforce in 2023 programs.

Statistic 45

Steel usage in construction totalled 12.7 million tons in 2023, up 3.4%.

Statistic 46

Cement production for domestic construction was 28.5 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 47

Construction material price index rose 8.2% in 2023, led by insulation at +15%.

Statistic 48

Timber consumption in construction reached 15.2 million m³ in 2023.

Statistic 49

Asphalt production for roads was 25.8 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 50

Wage costs in construction increased to €52.3 per hour in 2023, up 6.1%.

Statistic 51

Concrete ready-mix volume was 52.4 million m³ in 2023.

Statistic 52

Energy costs for construction firms rose 12.5% to €18.7 billion in 2023.

Statistic 53

Glass usage in building facades totalled 4.2 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 54

Rental costs for construction equipment averaged €45/hour for excavators in 2023.

Statistic 55

Insulation material consumption grew 4.1% to 78 million m³ equivalent in 2023.

Statistic 56

Brick production for construction was 8.9 billion units in 2023.

Statistic 57

Total construction costs index was 128.5 (2015=100) in 2023.

Statistic 58

PVC products for construction reached 1.8 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 59

In 2023, 42% of new buildings in Germany achieved KfW 40 energy standard or better.

Statistic 60

Renewable energy share in construction site power usage was 28% in 2023.

Statistic 61

CO2 emissions from construction activities fell 7.5% to 45.2 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 62

65% of construction firms adopted BIM (Building Information Modeling) by 2023.

Statistic 63

Recycled aggregates usage reached 31% of total aggregates in 2023.

Statistic 64

Solar PV installations on new buildings covered 2.1 GW in 2023.

Statistic 65

Green building certifications (DGNB/LEED) numbered 1,250 projects in 2023.

Statistic 66

Water savings in construction processes averaged 22% through recycling in 2023.

Statistic 67

Digital twin implementations in large projects reached 45% in 2023.

Statistic 68

Low-carbon concrete usage grew to 12% of total in 2023.

Statistic 69

78% of firms reported using drone surveys for site monitoring in 2023.

Statistic 70

Embodied carbon in new office buildings reduced by 18% since 2018 baseline in 2023.

Statistic 71

Modular prefabrication share in residential construction was 22% in 2023.

Statistic 72

AI-optimized material selection used in 35% of mega-projects in 2023.

Statistic 73

Waste recycling rate in construction hit 92% in 2023.

Statistic 74

Heat pump installations in new builds reached 65,000 units in 2023.

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Defying inflationary headwinds, Germany's construction sector proved its resilience in 2023 by growing its total turnover to a staggering €421.3 billion and fortifying its position as a cornerstone of the national economy, contributing 5.4% to the GDP.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, the German construction sector's total turnover reached €421.3 billion, marking a 2.1% increase from 2022 despite inflationary pressures.
The construction industry's contribution to Germany's GDP stood at 5.4% in 2023, with nominal growth of 3.8% year-over-year.
Germany's construction output volume index rose by 1.2% in 2023 compared to 2022, adjusted for price changes.
The German construction employment totalled 2.38 million in 2023, up 1.5% from 2022.
Construction sector unemployment rate was 3.2% in Germany in 2023, below the national average of 5.9%.
Average monthly gross earnings in construction reached €4,120 in 2023, a 5.8% increase year-over-year.
In 2023, Germany issued 245,300 building permits for residential units, down 12.5% from 2022.
Total living space approved in building permits was 72.1 million m² in 2023.
Completions of residential buildings totalled 178,900 units in 2023, a decrease of 8.4%.
Steel usage in construction totalled 12.7 million tons in 2023, up 3.4%.
Cement production for domestic construction was 28.5 million tons in 2023.
Construction material price index rose 8.2% in 2023, led by insulation at +15%.
In 2023, 42% of new buildings in Germany achieved KfW 40 energy standard or better.
Renewable energy share in construction site power usage was 28% in 2023.
CO2 emissions from construction activities fell 7.5% to 45.2 million tons in 2023.

Germany's construction industry grew modestly in 2023 despite economic challenges and a housing slowdown.

Building Permits and Completions

In 2023, Germany issued 245,300 building permits for residential units, down 12.5% from 2022.
Total living space approved in building permits was 72.1 million m² in 2023.
Completions of residential buildings totalled 178,900 units in 2023, a decrease of 8.4%.
Non-residential building permits covered 45.2 million m² in 2023.
In 2023, 1,456 new residential buildings were completed, averaging 123 units each.
Building permits for single-family homes numbered 45,200 in 2023, down 15%.
Completion rate for permitted residential floor space was 85% in 2023.
Office building completions totalled 2.1 million m² in 2023.
Permits for civil engineering projects increased by 5.2% in volume to 28.4 million m³ in 2023.
Average processing time for building permits was 3.2 months in 2023.
Multi-family house permits fell 14.3% to 145,600 units in 2023.
Industrial building completions reached 1.8 million m² usable space in 2023.
Rejection rate for building permits was 4.1% in 2023 due to zoning issues.
New completions in social housing numbered 12,500 units in 2023.

Building Permits and Completions Interpretation

It appears the German construction industry is currently trying to build a future on a foundation of paperwork and good intentions, as evidenced by a 12.5% drop in residential permits, a slowdown in completions, and a civil engineering sector that’s ironically digging itself out faster than anyone can build up.

Economic Indicators

In 2023, the German construction sector's total turnover reached €421.3 billion, marking a 2.1% increase from 2022 despite inflationary pressures.
The construction industry's contribution to Germany's GDP stood at 5.4% in 2023, with nominal growth of 3.8% year-over-year.
Germany's construction output volume index rose by 1.2% in 2023 compared to 2022, adjusted for price changes.
In Q4 2023, the construction industry's turnover increased by 0.8% month-over-month, reaching €104.5 billion seasonally adjusted.
The value added by the German construction sector was €208.7 billion in 2022, with a real growth rate of -0.5%.
Construction investment in Germany amounted to €297 billion in 2023, accounting for 7.2% of gross fixed capital formation.
The German construction market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.5% from 2024 to 2028, reaching €450 billion by 2028.
In 2023, building construction turnover was €284.2 billion, while civil engineering contributed €137.1 billion.
Nominal construction turnover grew by 4.2% in 2023, driven by higher prices, but real terms showed stagnation.
The construction sector's gross value added per employee averaged €78,500 in 2022.
Germany's construction productivity index stood at 102.3 in 2023 (base 2015=100).
Export turnover from German construction-related services reached €12.4 billion in 2023.
The sector's intermediate input ratio was 68.5% of turnover in 2022.
Construction investment as a percentage of GDP was 6.8% in 2023.
Real construction output declined by 1.1% in new orders during 2023.

Economic Indicators Interpretation

Amidst a storm of higher prices, the German construction sector clung to growth in 2023 like a determined foreman in the rain, managing to lay a slightly larger economic foundation even as real progress felt stuck in the mud.

Employment Statistics

The German construction employment totalled 2.38 million in 2023, up 1.5% from 2022.
Construction sector unemployment rate was 3.2% in Germany in 2023, below the national average of 5.9%.
Average monthly gross earnings in construction reached €4,120 in 2023, a 5.8% increase year-over-year.
Women comprised 12.4% of the construction workforce in Germany in 2023.
There were 67,200 construction companies employing over 20 workers in 2022.
Skilled worker shortage affected 45% of construction firms in Germany in 2023 survey.
Part-time employment in construction was 8.7% of total hours in 2023.
Apprenticeships in construction numbered 128,500 in 2023, covering 15 trades.
Labor productivity in construction grew by 1.8% in 2023 to €72,300 per full-time equivalent.
Foreign workers made up 18.2% of construction employment in 2023, mainly from Poland and Romania.
Overtime hours in construction averaged 2.4 hours per week per employee in 2023.
Construction firms reported 32% vacancy rate for skilled trades in 2023.
Self-employment in construction accounted for 22.5% of the workforce in 2022.
Youth unemployment in construction was 2.8% in 2023.
Digital skills training covered 15% of construction workforce in 2023 programs.

Employment Statistics Interpretation

Germany's construction sector is booming with rising wages and near-full employment, yet it's propped up by a precarious balance of foreign labor, stubbornly low female participation, and a skilled worker shortage so severe that nearly half the industry is desperately holding up a 'Help Wanted' sign.

Material Usage and Costs

Steel usage in construction totalled 12.7 million tons in 2023, up 3.4%.
Cement production for domestic construction was 28.5 million tons in 2023.
Construction material price index rose 8.2% in 2023, led by insulation at +15%.
Timber consumption in construction reached 15.2 million m³ in 2023.
Asphalt production for roads was 25.8 million tons in 2023.
Wage costs in construction increased to €52.3 per hour in 2023, up 6.1%.
Concrete ready-mix volume was 52.4 million m³ in 2023.
Energy costs for construction firms rose 12.5% to €18.7 billion in 2023.
Glass usage in building facades totalled 4.2 million tons in 2023.
Rental costs for construction equipment averaged €45/hour for excavators in 2023.
Insulation material consumption grew 4.1% to 78 million m³ equivalent in 2023.
Brick production for construction was 8.9 billion units in 2023.
Total construction costs index was 128.5 (2015=100) in 2023.
PVC products for construction reached 1.8 million tons in 2023.

Material Usage and Costs Interpretation

Germany's 2023 construction industry, while impressively churning out mountains of steel, forests of timber, and skyscrapers of glass, is simultaneously building itself a very expensive house of cards, as soaring costs for wages, energy, and materials threaten to price the foundation out from under it.

Sustainability and Innovation

In 2023, 42% of new buildings in Germany achieved KfW 40 energy standard or better.
Renewable energy share in construction site power usage was 28% in 2023.
CO2 emissions from construction activities fell 7.5% to 45.2 million tons in 2023.
65% of construction firms adopted BIM (Building Information Modeling) by 2023.
Recycled aggregates usage reached 31% of total aggregates in 2023.
Solar PV installations on new buildings covered 2.1 GW in 2023.
Green building certifications (DGNB/LEED) numbered 1,250 projects in 2023.
Water savings in construction processes averaged 22% through recycling in 2023.
Digital twin implementations in large projects reached 45% in 2023.
Low-carbon concrete usage grew to 12% of total in 2023.
78% of firms reported using drone surveys for site monitoring in 2023.
Embodied carbon in new office buildings reduced by 18% since 2018 baseline in 2023.
Modular prefabrication share in residential construction was 22% in 2023.
AI-optimized material selection used in 35% of mega-projects in 2023.
Waste recycling rate in construction hit 92% in 2023.
Heat pump installations in new builds reached 65,000 units in 2023.

Sustainability and Innovation Interpretation

Germany's construction industry is building a greener future brick by digital brick, cleverly using more drones than dumpsters, more AI than guesswork, and enough heat pumps and solar panels to ensure new homes are so efficient they practically apologize to the planet.

Sources & References

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