Ireland’s construction output reached €38.2 billion in 2023, up 12.5% from the year before as residential and infrastructure projects drove growth. The sector also added 170,000 jobs by Q4 2023 and cut construction unemployment to 4.2%. Yet cost pressure persists, including higher ready-mix concrete and equipment fuel prices, alongside the ongoing challenge of finding enough skilled workers.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the total value of construction output in Ireland reached €38.2 billion, marking a 12.5% increase from 2022 driven by residential and infrastructure projects
- Total employment in Ireland's construction sector was 170,000 persons in Q4 2023, up 8% from 2022
- Average price of ready-mix concrete rose 4.2% to €112 per cubic meter in Q4 2023
- Total number of major residential projects underway was 450 in 2023, delivering 25,000 units
- Construction waste recycling rate reached 88% in 2023, up from 82% in 2022
Ireland’s construction industry remains resilient with steady growth, supported by strong demand and investment.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Indicators30 stats
01
In 2023, the total value of construction output in Ireland reached €38.2 billion, marking a 12.5% increase from 2022 driven by residential and infrastructure projects
02
Construction sector contributed 13.4% to Ireland's GDP in 2023, up from 11.8% in 2022, reflecting robust housing demand
03
Average annual growth rate of Irish construction industry from 2019-2023 was 8.7%, fueled by government investment in public works
04
Construction investment as a percentage of GNI* in Ireland stood at 9.2% in 2023, highest since 2008 peak
05
Value of new residential construction orders in Q4 2023 was €2.1 billion, 15% higher than Q4 2022
06
Non-residential construction output grew by 10.3% YoY in 2023 to €14.5 billion, led by commercial developments
07
Infrastructure construction spending hit €7.8 billion in 2023, representing 20% of total sector output
08
Forecast for Irish construction growth in 2024 is 6.8%, with residential leading at 9.2%
09
Construction deflation rate in Ireland was -1.2% in 2023 due to falling material costs post-Ukraine crisis
10
Total capital investment in construction reached €42.3 billion in 2023 including public-private partnerships
11
Residential construction permits issued increased by 22% to 35,000 units in 2023
12
Sector productivity growth in construction was 4.1% in 2023, above EU average of 2.9%
13
Construction exports from Ireland (prefab modules) valued at €1.2 billion in 2023
14
Public capital expenditure on construction was €10.1 billion in Budget 2024 allocations
15
Private sector construction investment grew 14% to €25.6 billion in 2023
16
Construction value added tax receipts rose 18% to €3.4 billion in 2023
17
Industry capacity utilization rate reached 87% in Q3 2023, indicating near full employment
18
Cumulative construction output growth 2020-2023 averaged 7.9% annually
19
Construction loans approved by Irish banks totaled €8.9 billion in 2023, up 11%
20
Sector's share of total business investment was 28% in 2023
21
Construction PMI index averaged 52.3 in 2023, indicating expansion
22
Total floor area completed in new builds was 4.2 million sqm in 2023
23
Engineering construction output up 13% to €9.8 billion in 2023
24
Construction R&D expenditure was €450 million in 2023, 1.2% of output
25
Sector import content of output was 35% in 2023, down from 42% in 2021
26
Construction bankruptcy rate fell to 1.2% in 2023 from 2.8% in 2022
27
Average tender price inflation was 3.5% in 2023
28
Total sector turnover per employee was €285,000 in 2023
29
Construction's multiplier effect on economy estimated at 2.8 in 2023
30
Foreign direct investment in Irish construction firms was €2.1 billion in 2023
Interpretation
Economic Indicators Interpretation
In Ireland’s Economic Indicators for 2023, construction is clearly accelerating with output rising 12.5% to €38.2 billion and its GDP share climbing to 13.4%, alongside construction investment reaching 9.2% of GNI* its highest level since the 2008 peak.
02 · Category
Employment Statistics26 stats
01
Total employment in Ireland's construction sector was 170,000 persons in Q4 2023, up 8% from 2022
02
Construction unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% in 2023 from 6.1% in 2022
03
Average hourly earnings in construction rose to €28.50 in 2023, a 5.8% increase YoY
04
45% of construction workforce were non-EEA nationals in 2023, mainly from Eastern Europe
05
Number of self-employed in construction increased by 12% to 42,000 in 2023
06
Female participation in construction workforce was 12.5% in 2023, up from 10.8% in 2020
07
Youth employment (18-24) in sector grew 15% to 18,500 in 2023
08
Overtime hours in construction averaged 4.2 hours/week per employee in 2023
09
Registered apprentices in construction reached 12,000 in 2023, 20% increase
10
Construction vacancy rate was 3.8% in Q4 2023, highest among sectors
11
Average age of construction workers was 42.3 years in 2023, with 28% over 50
12
Part-time employment in construction was 8.7% of total in 2023
13
Skilled trades shortage affected 65% of firms in 2023 survey
14
Labor turnover rate in construction was 14.2% in 2023
15
Remote working in construction offices was 22% of admin staff in 2023
16
Union membership in sector declined to 18% in 2023 from 22% in 2020
17
Health & safety training coverage reached 92% of workforce in 2023
18
Migrant worker integration programs trained 5,200 in construction skills in 2023
19
Wage premium for construction over average economy was 12% in 2023
20
Temporary agency workers in construction numbered 15,000 in 2023, up 25%
21
Disability employment rate in construction was 4.1% in 2023
22
Night shift employment accounted for 11% of hours in 2023
23
Upskilling programs reached 28,000 workers in 2023 via SOLAS
24
Construction employment growth forecast at 4.5% for 2024 to 177,500 jobs
25
Zero-hour contracts in sector reduced to 2.1% in 2023
26
Average job tenure in construction was 7.2 years in 2023
Interpretation
Employment Statistics Interpretation
In the employment statistics for Ireland’s construction sector, total jobs reached 170,000 in Q4 2023 and the unemployment rate fell to 4.2% in 2023, even as the workforce became more diverse with 45% of workers coming from non EEA nationals and self employment rising 12% to 42,000.
03 · Category
Material Costs27 stats
01
Average price of ready-mix concrete rose 4.2% to €112 per cubic meter in Q4 2023
02
Steel rebar prices averaged €850 per tonne in 2023, up 2% YoY due to import reliance
03
Timber (softwood) costs increased 6% to €520 per cubic meter in 2023
04
Asphalt price per tonne was €95 in 2023, 3.5% higher than 2022
05
Cement dispatch volumes reached 2.8 million tonnes in 2023, price €120/tonne avg
06
Brick prices averaged €0.85 per unit in 2023, stable YoY
07
Diesel fuel for construction equipment cost €1.65/liter avg in 2023
08
PVC piping costs rose 5% to €4.20 per meter in 2023
09
Roof tile prices €1.45 each avg, up 1.8% in 2023
10
Electrical copper wire €9,500/tonne in 2023, volatile supply
11
Insulation materials (wool) €25/sqm avg price in 2023, down 8% YoY
12
Glass for facades €45/sqm in 2023 commercial projects
13
Plasterboard €12.50/sheet, stable in 2023
14
Paint costs €35/10L tin avg for exteriors in 2023
15
Aggregates (crushed rock) €18/tonne in 2023
16
Bitumen for roads €650/tonne in 2023, up 4%
17
Aluminum profiles €3,200/tonne avg 2023
18
Sanitaryware units avg €250 each in 2023 residential
19
HVAC equipment costs rose 7% to €15,000/unit avg in 2023
20
Scaffolding rental €1.20/sqm/day in 2023 urban areas
21
Precast concrete elements €180/cum in 2023
22
Waterproofing membranes €8/sqm in 2023
23
Floor screed €22/sqm applied in 2023
24
Reinforcing mesh €2.50/sqm in 2023
25
Lime render €18/sqm in 2023 heritage projects
26
Solar panel installation materials €120/Wp in 2023
27
Steel roofing sheets €16/sqm in 2023
Interpretation
Material Costs Interpretation
Across Ireland’s construction material costs, key inputs like ready-mix concrete climbed 4.2% to €112 per cubic meter in Q4 2023 while softwood rose 6% to €520 per cubic meter in 2023, signaling broad upward pressure on core building materials.
More related reading
04 · Category
Project Data24 stats
01
Total number of major residential projects underway was 450 in 2023, delivering 25,000 units
02
National Broadband Plan construction completed 85% of 96,000km fiber rollout by end 2023
03
Dublin MetroLink project advanced to 25% completion in 2023, cost €3.2 billion
04
1,200km of new cycleways built under Greenways Strategy in 2023
05
New hospital projects: 8 under construction totaling 1.5 million sqm in 2023
06
Offshore wind farm developments: 5 projects with 3GW capacity approved in 2023
07
Social housing delivery reached 12,500 units via local authorities in 2023
08
Road resurfacing covered 4,500km nationwide in 2023 under maintenance program
09
Data center constructions added 500MW capacity in Leinster region 2023
10
School building program completed 250 projects, 1.2 million sq ft in 2023
11
Flood defense schemes: 45 schemes progressed, protecting 25,000 properties in 2023
12
Hotel developments: 15 new builds with 4,500 rooms completed in 2023
13
Renewable energy projects: 2GW solar and wind under construction in 2023
14
Public transport: Luas extensions added 5km track in Dublin 2023
15
Wastewater treatment plants upgraded at 120 sites in 2023
16
Retail park expansions totaled 300,000 sqm in 2023
17
Airport expansions: Dublin runway project 40% complete in 2023
18
Timber frame housing projects delivered 8,000 units in 2023
19
Gas pipeline network extended by 250km in 2023
20
University campus expansions added 200,000 sqm across 7 institutions in 2023
21
Modular construction projects numbered 120, saving 20% time on average in 2023
22
Rail projects: DART+ advanced 30%, electrifying 50km in 2023
23
Industrial parks developed 1.5 million sqm logistics space in 2023
24
Heritage restoration projects: 75 sites completed, €150m invested in 2023
Interpretation
Project Data Interpretation
Project Data in Ireland shows momentum across major delivery areas in 2023, with 450 major residential projects underway producing 25,000 units alongside large infrastructure buildouts like 85% completion of the 96,000km National Broadband Plan and Dublin MetroLink reaching 25% progress.
05 · Category
Sustainability And Regulations28 stats
01
Construction waste recycling rate reached 88% in 2023, up from 82% in 2022
02
35% of new builds used low-carbon concrete in 2023 under green procurement
03
Building Energy Rating (BER) A-rated new homes were 65% of completions in 2023
04
Carbon emissions from construction fell 12% to 4.2 MtCO2eq in 2023
05
Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) compliance achieved in 92% of public projects 2023
06
Biodiversity net gain mandated in 40% of local authority planning in 2023
07
Renewable materials usage up to 28% of total volume in 2023 residential
08
Water usage efficiency improved 15% in new commercial builds 2023
09
75% reduction target for embodied carbon set for public projects by 2030, progress 18% in 2023
10
Modular offsite construction reduced waste by 25% avg in 2023 projects
11
Planning permissions with sustainability conditions rose to 95% in 2023
12
Heat pump installations in new builds hit 45% penetration in 2023
13
Green Public Procurement applied to 60% of construction tenders in 2023
14
Timber certification (FSC/PEFC) covered 85% of used softwood in 2023
15
Energy Performance Certificates issued 120,000 for construction in 2023
16
Construction sector Scope 3 emissions reporting mandatory for top 100 firms from 2023
17
Rainwater harvesting systems in 22% of new non-residential builds 2023
18
EV charging infrastructure mandated in 100% of new commercial carparks 2023
19
Circularity index for materials reached 45% in pilot projects 2023
20
Noise regulation compliance fines totaled €2.5m in 2023 for breaches
21
Health & Safety Authority inspections up 20% to 15,000 in construction 2023
22
Building Regulations Part L (energy) amendments enforced from Jan 2023 tightened U-values by 15%
23
Biodiversity action plans required for projects over €5m from 2023
24
Passive House certifications issued 450 for Irish projects in 2023
25
Waste levy on construction increased to €120/tonne in 2023
26
Green Bonds issued for construction projects totaled €1.2bn in 2023
27
Air quality monitoring at sites showed PM10 compliance 98% in 2023
28
Retrofitting grants disbursed €450m for 35,000 homes in 2023
Interpretation
Sustainability And Regulations Interpretation
Ireland’s sustainability and regulations are clearly tightening as shown by recycling climbing to 88% in 2023 and carbon emissions dropping 12% to 4.2 MtCO2eq, alongside strong compliance with low-carbon and high-performance building requirements.
report visual · Projection
Ireland construction growth is accelerating in 2023 and expected to continue
Construction activity expanded in 2023 and is projected to keep growing into 2024, driven by residential and infrastructure momentum.
8.7 % / share / growth
Start
-4.81%
CAGR · 5y
6.8 % / share / growth
Projected
20192024
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Julian Richter. (2026, February 13). Ireland Construction Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/ireland-construction-industry-statistics
MLA
Julian Richter. "Ireland Construction Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/ireland-construction-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Julian Richter. 2026. "Ireland Construction Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/ireland-construction-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
78 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level