60 Construction Statistics for 2025: Trends, Data, and Analysis

As one of the largest contributors to the global economy, the construction sector is evolving at an unprecedented pace, fueled by technological innovation, shifting market demands, and a growing focus on sustainability.

Staying ahead in this landscape requires a deep understanding of the trends shaping the industry. From the rise of smart technologies like building information modeling (BIM) software and computer-aided design (CAD) tools to increased investments in renewable energy projects, these changes are redefining how projects are planned, executed, and managed.

This article explores the key statistics and trends that will dominate the construction sector in 2025, helping professionals identify new opportunities and navigate challenges effectively.

Construction spending data: Global and US 

The construction industry continues to be a cornerstone of economic growth, with spending trends highlighting both opportunities and challenges. This section dives into the latest data on construction spending worldwide and in the U.S., uncovering regional dynamics, sector-specific trends, and insights into the factors driving or hindering growth.

• The engineering and construction industry employs more than 100 million people globally, and construction-industry-related spending alone accounts for about 13% of global GDP.
• The global construction market was valued at $12.3 trillion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $19.59 trillion by 2032.
• Global construction spending will reach $14.5 trillion in 2024 and $15.7 trillion in 2025, a 4.3% and 8.1% increase, respectively.
• In 2023, nonresidential construction accounted for approximately 64% of global construction spending, while residential construction made up around 36%.
• Investments in transportation, the largest infrastructure segment, represent approximately 50% of total infrastructure spending.
• Every day until 2050, the industry must construct 13,000 buildings to accommodate an expected urban population of 7 billion.
• Construction spending crossed $2 trillion in the first half of 2024.
• Engineering and construction spending increased 11% in 2022, and a 3% increase is anticipated for 2023. 
• The investments in smart cities will grow to $203 billion in 2024.
• Spending on office construction is forecasted to decrease by 4% from $99 billion to $94 billion in 2024.
• Commercial construction spending is at $128 billion as of July 2023, up 11% from the previous year.
• London is the most expensive city in the world for construction. 

US construction spending and regional dynamics

The U.S. construction industry remains a powerhouse, driving significant economic activity and shaping the nation’s infrastructure. Aging infrastructure, high spending, and investments in energy transition and resilience drive U.S. construction demand. This section explores key trends, regional dynamics, and sector-specific highlights that define U.S. construction spending.

• There are 943,000 construction establishments in the U.S as of first quarter of 2024.
• In 2023, U.S. construction spending reached approximately $2.1 trillion, with the private sector contributing around $1.6 trillion and the public sector about $451 billion. This indicates that private construction spending was over three times that of public construction.
• U.S. nonresidential construction spending reached $1.1 trillion, comprising $706 billion in private projects and $440 billion in public projects in 2023.
• Residential construction spending in the U.S. amounted to $878 billion, with $400 billion allocated to single-family homes, $136 billion to multifamily housing, $331 billion to improvements, and $11 billion to public residential projects.
• Construction backlogs have decreased by 0.9 months from a year ago, now at 8.4 months as of July 2024.
• 20% of US construction takes place in five major cities: New York, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Washington.
• In  2024, the rental market continues to demonstrate resilience, with one-bedroom apartment rents averaging approximately $1,200 per month.
• The median home sales price in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2024 was nearly $420,400, about $92,000, higher than just 4 years prior.
• Approximately 1.5 million new homes were authorized by building permits in 2023.

Construction sector projects and growth statistics

The construction industry spans diverse segments, including residential, commercial, infrastructure, and specialized sectors like sanitation and transportation. Each of these areas contributes uniquely to the overall dynamics of the industry, driven by shifting market demands and economic trends.

This section explores key statistics and developments across construction projects, highlighting growth areas and emerging challenges. From residential construction's fluctuating trends to the robust growth in manufacturing and infrastructure, these insights provide a snapshot of the construction sector's evolving landscape.

• Multifamily residential construction is estimated to decrease by 7% to $131 billion in 2024.
• Single-family construction is estimated to decrease by 10% to $354 billion in 2024.
• Compared to 2022, all residential segments have seen a decline, including single-family and multifamily construction, and are expected to continue through 2026.
• As of September 2024, manufacturing led construction spending with $235.35 billion, marking a significant 20.5% year-over-year (YoY) growth.
• Power infrastructure followed with $146.28 billion (+6.3% YoY), while highway and street projects accounted for $141.95 billion (+1.5% YoY).
• Educational construction spending reached $129.25 billion (+3.7% YoY).
• Public safety saw the largest YoY increase at 33.4%, totaling $19.55 billion, while transportation spending grew by 7.2% to $70.13 billion.
• Conversely, commercial construction spending declined by 13.3% YoY to $125.30 billion, while lodging dropped by 6.8% to $23.48 billion, and conservation and development decreased by 3.6% to $11.75 billion. 
• In 2023, 58% of owners switched to design-build methods, moving away from the traditional approach.
• U.S. construction equipment rental sales are anticipated to surpass peak 2019 levels in 2024.

Construction labor employment statistics

The construction industry needs skilled labor. Its supply is so great that many organizations have had to extend project timelines due to a worker shortage. The statistics below concern the state of employment in construction labor. 

Here are some critical insights into salaries, work accidents, and jobs in the sector. 

• Between August 2023 and July 2024, the construction industry averaged 382,000 monthly job openings, indicating significant talent shortages.
• The average hourly wage of all construction employees was $38.72 as of January 2024.
• The median weekly earnings for a full-time, nonunion worker was $1,007 in 2023.
• The US had 282,000 open jobs in construction as of September 2024. 
• Women are almost 11% of the construction workforce in 2023. 
• 6.7% of the construction industry workforce were Black or African American in 2023.
• 1.7% of the construction industry workforce were Asian in 2023.

• The US construction industry saw the highest number of deadly work accidents, with 1,092 deaths in 2022. 
• The average annual salary for construction managers was $110,160 in 2022.
• A typical nonunion construction worker made $976 a week in 2022. 
• In 2021, 62% of contractors needed help finding skilled workers, and 74% of contractors demanded more from qualified workers. 
• To address labor shortages, 29% of firms invest in technology and provide incentives.

Construction technology statistics

The modern construction industry feels that going fully digital in designing, building, and running projects will save costs. The stats below support this mindset as companies adopt building information modeling and artificial intelligence. Additionally, the integration of eco-friendly construction materials is becoming increasingly vital, aligning sustainability with digital transformation.

Professionals are already experiencing improvements in communication and return on investment. Discover how adopting digital technology can elevate profits in the future. 

• The construction robot market is set to grow by 13.6% annually from 2021 to 2026. 
• In 2024, a 30% increase in construction projects incorporating renewable energy solutions is predicted compared to 2022.
• 79% of building contractors use software to gather data and handle information.
• The global green building market is poised to reach a remarkable $450 billion by 2024
• Cement production alone accounts for 8% of global CO2 emissions, and it will need to fall by 16% before 2030 for the sector to comply with the Paris Agreement on climate change.
• Using drones to measure building materials in real time has resulted in a 61% increase in measurement accuracy.
• The BIM market was worth $8.06 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $9.43 billion in 2024
• 70% of construction professionals have adopted BIM.  18% plan to adopt BIM in the coming years. 
• The global BIM is expected to expand at a CAGR of 12.08%, reaching USD 18257.0 million by 2027.
• The global CAD market size was valued at USD 9477.0 Million in 2022
• In 2028, the global CAD market size is predicted to be valued at USD 13544.0 Million with a CAGR of 6.13%
• In 2024, the G2 predicts a growth in the integration of CAD software with configure, price, and quote (CPQ) solutions to automate the creation of CAD drawings.
• The global construction management software industry is worth $9.3 billion.
• The AI market in construction is expected to hit $4.51 billion by 2026. 
• AI, storage, and processing needs will drive spending on office construction in 2024
• Only 3% of construction companies use no specialized software tools.

Challenges in construction projects

From delyas and disputes, here are some data on challenges faced with the construction projects. 

• Large projects tend to run 20% behind schedule and go as much as 80% over budget.
• 98% of mega projects face delays or budget overruns.
• Up to 30% of the initial project data is lost by the end of the design and construction phases. 
• The average global cost of construction disputes stands at $54.26 million.
• Insufficient data causes 14% of all construction rework globally. 

Laying one brick at a time

The statistics above suggest the construction market is growing steadily. As the adoption of technology and digital solutions increases, the growth will expand and speed up. Tech-enabling construction, especially the design and management areas, will help many businesses save costs and maximize their profits.

Discover how BIM can help construction companies better organize and manage assets.