South Korea's construction market reached 287.4 trillion won. Civil engineering accounted for 42 percent of all orders. Output figures, employment totals, and project values show how spending splits across residential, industrial, and infrastructure segments.
Key Takeaways
- Residential building construction output grew 5.1% to KRW 82.4 trillion in 2023.
- Total employment in South Korea's construction industry was 2.1 million persons in 2023.
- Total value of major infrastructure projects under construction in South Korea: KRW 450 trillion in 2023.
- In 2023, the South Korean construction market size reached approximately KRW 287.4 trillion, reflecting a 4.1% year-on-year growth driven by public infrastructure investments.
- BIM adoption rate in major projects: 85% in 2023.
Korea’s construction industry posted steady growth, showing demand remains resilient despite ongoing challenges.
Related reading
01 · Category
Construction Output By Sector27 stats
01
Residential building construction output grew 5.1% to KRW 82.4 trillion in 2023.
02
Commercial building construction output: KRW 56.7 trillion in 2022, up 3.2%.
03
Civil engineering output reached KRW 102.3 trillion in 2023.
04
Industrial facilities construction: KRW 38.9 trillion in 2022.
05
Apartment construction output: 45% of total residential at KRW 37 trillion in 2023.
06
Office building construction: KRW 22.1 trillion in 2022.
07
Road and bridge construction output: KRW 48.5 trillion in 2023.
08
Railway construction output: KRW 15.2 trillion in 2022.
09
Water supply and sewage output: KRW 12.8 trillion in 2023.
10
Power plant construction: KRW 18.4 trillion in 2022.
11
Semiconductor fab construction output: KRW 25.6 trillion in 2023.
12
Hospital and school buildings: KRW 14.3 trillion in 2022.
13
Retail and hotel construction: KRW 19.7 trillion in 2023.
14
Urban redevelopment projects output: KRW 31.2 trillion in 2022.
15
Plant engineering construction: KRW 42.1 trillion in 2023.
16
Environmental facilities output: KRW 9.5 trillion in 2022.
17
Logistics warehouse construction: KRW 16.8 trillion in 2023.
18
Data center construction output: KRW 8.2 trillion in 2022.
19
Shipbuilding support facilities: KRW 7.4 trillion in 2023.
20
Sports facilities construction: KRW 4.1 trillion in 2022.
21
Cultural facilities output: KRW 3.9 trillion in 2023.
22
Multi-family housing output share: 62% of residential in 2022.
23
Single-family housing output: KRW 12.5 trillion in 2023.
24
High-rise building construction (>20 floors): 28% of total buildings in 2022.
25
Public sector civil works output: 55% of civil engineering in 2023.
26
Private sector building output: KRW 110 trillion in 2022.
27
Remodeling and renovation output: KRW 22.4 trillion in 2023.
Interpretation
Construction Output By Sector Interpretation
In Korea’s construction output by sector, residential building rose 5.1% to KRW 82.4 trillion in 2023 while civil engineering led at KRW 102.3 trillion, showing how growth in housing sits alongside the largest total demand in infrastructure.
02 · Category
Employment And Workforce28 stats
01
Total employment in South Korea's construction industry was 2.1 million persons in 2023.
02
Construction sector employment growth rate: 1.2% YoY in 2022.
03
Number of construction workers: 1.85 million in 2023, with 15% foreign labor.
04
Average monthly wage in construction: KRW 4.2 million in 2022.
05
Unemployment rate in construction: 2.8% in Q4 2023.
06
Skilled labor shortage: 120,000 workers in 2023.
07
Female workers in construction: 8.5% of total workforce in 2022.
08
Construction firms total: 78,000 companies in 2023.
09
Large firms (>300 employees): 450 companies employing 45% of workforce in 2022.
10
SMEs in construction: 77,550 firms with average 12 employees each in 2023.
11
Labor productivity per worker: KRW 780 million in 2022.
12
Training programs participants: 250,000 construction workers annually in 2023.
13
Foreign workers quota: 90,000 for construction in 2023.
14
Injury rate in construction: 1.2% of workforce in 2022.
15
Average age of construction workers: 45.3 years in 2023.
16
Youth employment (<30 years): 12% of total in 2022.
17
Engineer employment: 320,000 professionals in 2023.
18
Labor union membership: 15% of workforce in 2022.
19
Overtime hours average: 45 hours/month per worker in 2023.
20
Regional employment distribution: Seoul 25%, Gyeonggi 30% in 2022.
21
Turnover rate in construction: 18.5% annually in 2023.
22
Wage growth rate: 3.4% YoY in 2022.
23
Pension coverage: 65% of construction workers in 2023.
24
Part-time workers: 22% of total employment in 2022.
25
Construction apprentices: 45,000 enrolled in 2023.
26
Disability employment quota fulfillment: 75% in large firms 2022.
27
Digital skilled workers: 150,000 certified in 2023.
28
Safety training hours: 24 hours/year per worker in 2022.
Interpretation
Employment And Workforce Interpretation
With 2.1 million people employed in Korea’s construction industry in 2023 and a skilled labor shortage of 120,000 workers, the sector is simultaneously growing employment modestly at 1.2% YoY in 2022 and relying on foreign labor for 15% of its 1.85 million construction workers.
03 · Category
Major Projects And Investments28 stats
01
Total value of major infrastructure projects under construction in South Korea: KRW 450 trillion in 2023.
02
GTX (Great Train eXpress) project investment: KRW 40 trillion by 2030.
03
Incheon International Airport expansion Phase 4: KRW 5.2 trillion.
04
4th Yeouido redevelopment project: KRW 15 trillion.
05
Semiconductor Cluster in Yongin: KRW 300 trillion over 30 years.
06
KTX high-speed rail extension: KRW 22 trillion.
07
Sejong City administrative capital expansion: KRW 18 trillion.
08
Busan New Port Phase 4: KRW 8.5 trillion.
09
Gangneung-Wonju high-speed rail: KRW 6.7 trillion completed in 2022.
10
Smart City Songdo expansion: KRW 12 trillion.
11
LNG terminal expansion in Pyeongtaek: KRW 4.1 trillion.
12
Yeosu waterfront redevelopment: KRW 3.2 trillion.
13
Pohang Steel Plant expansion: KRW 25 trillion.
14
Nuclear power plant safety upgrades: KRW 10 trillion in 2023.
15
Han River water management project: KRW 7.8 trillion.
16
Eco Delta City in Incheon: KRW 9.5 trillion.
17
Ulsan Smart City: KRW 11 trillion.
18
Gimpo Gold Line subway: KRW 2.4 trillion.
19
Renewable energy grid projects: KRW 50 trillion by 2030.
20
5G base station construction: 120,000 sites invested KRW 15 trillion in 2023.
21
National R&D Park in Daejeon: KRW 4.5 trillion.
22
Gwangmyeong Cave redevelopment: KRW 1.2 trillion.
23
Jeju Olle Trail infrastructure: KRW 0.8 trillion.
24
Public-private partnership (PPP) projects total: 150 projects worth KRW 200 trillion in 2023.
25
Foreign direct investment in construction: USD 5.8 billion in mega projects 2022.
26
AI data center investments by Samsung: KRW 20 trillion.
27
Battery gigafactory in Gwangju: KRW 4 trillion by LG.
28
Offshore wind farm Yeongheung: KRW 3.5 trillion.
Interpretation
Major Projects And Investments Interpretation
In the Major Projects And Investments category, South Korea is channeling KRW 450 trillion in major infrastructure projects underway in 2023 while committing to long-horizon rail and industrial upgrades such as KRW 40 trillion for the GTX by 2030 and a KRW 300 trillion semiconductor cluster in Yongin over 30 years.
More related reading
04 · Category
Market Size And Revenue30 stats
01
In 2023, the South Korean construction market size reached approximately KRW 287.4 trillion, reflecting a 4.1% year-on-year growth driven by public infrastructure investments.
02
The construction industry's contribution to South Korea's GDP stood at 5.8% in 2022, up from 5.4% in 2021.
03
Total construction orders in South Korea amounted to KRW 312 trillion in 2023, with civil engineering accounting for 42%.
04
The value of construction works completed in South Korea was KRW 265.8 trillion in 2022.
05
South Korea's construction investment grew by 3.7% to KRW 220 trillion in Q4 2023.
06
Private construction investment in South Korea reached KRW 142 trillion in 2023, a 2.8% increase.
07
Public construction sector revenue hit KRW 145.4 trillion in 2022, comprising 51% of total industry revenue.
08
The residential construction market in South Korea was valued at KRW 78 trillion in 2023.
09
Non-residential building construction orders totaled KRW 89.2 trillion in 2023.
10
South Korea's construction export value reached USD 12.5 billion in 2022.
11
The overall construction production index rose by 2.3% in 2023 compared to 2022.
12
Construction GVA (Gross Value Added) in South Korea was KRW 152 trillion in 2022.
13
Average annual growth rate of construction market projected at 3.2% from 2024-2028.
14
Total construction contracts awarded in 2023: KRW 298.7 trillion.
15
Building construction segment revenue: KRW 192.3 trillion in 2022.
16
Civil engineering construction revenue: KRW 95.1 trillion in 2023.
17
Construction industry's share in national investment: 28.4% in 2022.
18
Nominal growth in construction investment: 4.5% in 2023.
19
Real growth rate of construction sector: 1.8% YoY in Q3 2023.
20
Total construction permits issued: 412,000 units in 2022.
21
Construction floor area permitted: 120 million sqm in 2023.
22
Industry revenue per employee: KRW 850 million in 2022.
23
Market concentration (top 5 firms): 35% of total revenue in 2023.
24
Foreign construction investment inflow: USD 4.2 billion in 2022.
25
Construction equipment market size: KRW 15 trillion in 2023.
26
Digital construction market value: KRW 8.5 trillion in 2023.
27
Green building construction value: KRW 45 trillion in 2022.
28
Modular construction market: KRW 12 trillion in 2023.
29
Overseas construction orders: KRW 45.6 trillion in 2022.
30
Total construction backlog: KRW 1,200 trillion as of end-2023.
Interpretation
Market Size And Revenue Interpretation
In 2023 the South Korean construction market hit about KRW 287.4 trillion and grew 4.1% year on year, showing steady revenue expansion as construction orders reached KRW 312 trillion and private investment rose to KRW 142 trillion in the market size and revenue picture.
05 · Category
Trends And Forecasts20 stats
01
BIM adoption rate in major projects: 85% in 2023.
02
Projected construction market growth: 3.5% CAGR to 2028 reaching KRW 350 trillion.
03
Green building certifications issued: 1,200 projects in 2023, up 20%.
04
Prefabricated construction share: Expected to reach 15% by 2025.
05
Digital twin technology adoption: 40% of large projects in 2023.
06
Labor shortage forecast: 200,000 workers by 2030.
07
Carbon emission reduction target: 40% by 2030 in construction.
08
Smart construction market growth: 12% annually to 2027.
09
Overseas orders forecast: KRW 50 trillion annually by 2025.
10
Urban regeneration projects planned: 100 sites with KRW 100 trillion.
11
3D printing in construction: Pilot projects to cover 5% by 2030.
12
AI and robotics penetration: 25% cost savings projected by 2028.
13
Material cost inflation forecast: 4-6% annually through 2025.
14
Public investment in infrastructure: KRW 400 trillion in 5th Basic Plan 2023-2027.
15
Housing supply plan: 250,000 units annually to 2025.
16
Renewable energy construction boom: 30GW capacity by 2030.
17
Supply chain digitalization: 60% adoption by 2025.
18
ESG compliance rate forecast: 90% for large firms by 2030.
19
Modular housing growth: 20% market share by 2027.
20
Construction drone usage: 35% of sites in 2023, to 70% by 2028.
Interpretation
Trends And Forecasts Interpretation
Korea’s construction industry is heading toward a more digital and sustainable future, with BIM adoption at 85% in 2023 and digital twins used on 40% of large projects, while green certifications jumped 20% to 1,200 projects and the market is forecast to grow at a 3.5% CAGR through 2028.
report visual · Comparison
Korea construction output: residential vs civil engineering (latest years)
Residential construction grew in 2023 while civil engineering output remained very large, highlighting the sector’s mixed momentum.
Civil engineering output reached KRW 102.3 trillion in 2023.102.3
Total construction orders in South Korea amounted to KRW 312 trillion in 2023, with civil engineering accounting for 42%42%
Residential building construction output grew 5.1% to KRW 82.4 trillion in 2023.5.1%
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Leah Kessler. (2026, February 13). Korea Construction Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/korea-construction-industry-statistics
MLA
Leah Kessler. "Korea Construction Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/korea-construction-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Leah Kessler. 2026. "Korea Construction Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/korea-construction-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
81 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level