Europe Construction Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

Europe Construction Market Size

The Europe construction market attained a value of approximately USD 2,752.75 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% in the forecast period of 2024-2032, reaching a value of around USD 4,233.96 billion by 2032.

Europe Construction Market Outlook

• According to the 67th Edition of the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) Statistical Report, residential construction investment continued to increase steadily from 2015 to 2021 in the European Union. 

• Currently residential construction investment in Europe stands at 122 with reference to the year 2015=100. 

• In the residential segment, too, a slight decline is predicted post-2021 to around 118 by 2024. 

• According to Europe construction market analysis, the non-residential index is slightly higher than the residential index at over 110 in 2021 and stays that way, with slight fluctuations, but hovers around 112 until 2024.

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Europe Construction Market Growth

The process of construction encompasses a series of technicalities, including planning, design, financing, and project execution. Some types of construction include residential building and renovation, commercial and industrial construction, as well as infrastructure construction.

Rising concerns about climate change and the environmental impact of construction activities are transforming the Europe construction market landscape. According to the European Environment Agency, the building sector is one of the key contributors to energy-related emissions in Europe, representing a total of 35% in 2021, thereby aiding the growth of the Europe construction market.

Due to this, various European construction companies are switching to sustainable and bio-based building materials to improve the energy efficiency of construction operations. Sustainable building materials are commonly derived from renewable resources, and meticulously crafted to minimise environmental impact across their life cycle. Such materials encompass recycled content, responsibly sourced wood, and alternative substances that require fewer resources and energy during the production process.

Key Trends and Recent Developments

Rising emphasis on sustainable construction, advancements in technologies for construction activities, and the rising government investments are shaping Europe construction market opportunities.

Europe Construction Market Trends

The increasing investments in infrastructure development by governments and the European Union are likely to be a major factor influencing the Europe construction market growth. Countries in the region regularly establish comprehensive policy frameworks to guide infrastructural development. These frameworks are often established individually or collectively through the European Union.

According to European construction industry statistics, in 2023, the European Commission announced its plan to invest EUR 6.2 billion in 107 selected transport infrastructure projects in EU grants from the Connecting Europe Facility, which can increase the Europe construction market value. More than 80% of the total funds allotted will be directed towards projects that are aimed at improving the sustainability and efficiency of key transportation networks, such as the railroads, inland waterways, and marine routes of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T).

Key Takeaways

Industry Outlook

For the Euro Area (19), the permits for dwellings and residential buildings specifically have been highly volatile between 2016 and 2022. As measured with the base set at 2015 = 100, 2016 recorded grossing 118.33, followed by 127.52 in 2017 and further to 134.59 in 2018, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. In 2019, there is a small decline in the value, which stands at 133.34. It was characterised by the impact of the fall of the 2020 ding, amounting to 118.52. Then, the annual growth regained with an index close at 136.07 by this year-end, to further peak at 146.37 in 2022.

This has been reflecting the fluctuations in the level of permits issued in the Euro Area in terms of the investment level and potential for construction activity in those years, restricting the seamless growth of Europe construction market. This time series from 2021 to 2022 conversely emphasises the return to the construction sector with a new impetus, most probably driven by recovery measures following the pandemic, post-pandemic recovery tools, and an increasing demand for houses. This trend recorded by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis could be taken as a feature of a bright outlook for the European construction market—increased future construction activity and potential economic growth within this sector.

Civil engineering investments were more variable; after a sharp drop between 2018 and 2020, they stayed at almost 100. After 2020, they started to grow again and according to the projections, they might be close to 108 in 2024. Renovation activities have had dynamic growth since 2015 and finally reached the level of about 116 in 2021. The latest projections in this section show a much milder fall towards 2024 and keep the sector at around 115.

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Europe Construction Industry Segmentation

Europe Construction Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032 offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Based on end use, the market can be divided into:

• Residential
  • Private Housing
  • Other Buildings and Single Units
• Healthcare

• Hospitality

• Others

Based on residentials buildings and single-units, the market can be divided into:

• Apartments/Flats

• Detached Houses

• Semi-Detached

• Terraced Houses

• Others

Based on country, the market can be segregated into:

• Germany

• United Kingdom

• France

• Italy

• Others

Europe Construction Market Share

Residential sector helps in expansion of the market due to the rising demand for multi-family housing

The residential sector is expected to develop substantially during the forecast period. There is an increasing demand for the development of multi-family housing construction due to rising urbanisation and the growing population of countries in Europe.

For instance, the Sackville Road Residential Community project encompasses the construction of six blocks of varying heights, ranging from 2 to 15 stories. These blocks are strategically designed to create a cohesive and integrated residential space that caters to diverse housing needs. The project, valued at USD 332 million, represents a significant investment in the construction of a residential community in Hove, the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, as per the Europe construction industry report, the healthcare sector, driven by factors such as government healthcare spending, demographic changes (like an ageing population), and the need for modern medical facilities, witnessed a noticeable increase on expanding and modernising healthcare infrastructure, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the hospitality sector, encompassing hotels, resorts, and other leisure facilities, typically follows trends in tourism and business travel.

The table below shows key data and statistics for three sectors in the Europe construction market.

The development of apartments, flats, and detached houses aids the market growth

Construction of apartments/flats and detached houses play a crucial role in propelling the demand for construction in the European market. The construction of these different types of housing responds to the varied needs and preferences of residents, contributes to urban and suburban development, and stimulates economic activity in the construction sector. Moreover, the increasing focus on the renovation and reconstruction of buildings, as well as the integration of various technologies in construction activities is paving the Europe construction market dynamics and trends.

According to Europe construction market estimates, in North Macedonia, 71.2% of the population lives in a detached house, whereas flats are more common in the Baltics and southern and central Europe, with Spain having the highest proportion of people living in flats at 65.7%. The United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Belgium are the only European countries where the most people live in an apartment or terraced house.

Driving Forces and Innovations Shaping the European Construction Market

• Increased urbanisation and growing populations drive demand of Europe construction market, particularly for residential and commercial building projects.

• New technologies in construction include prefabrication and 3D printing, which are driving efficiency and reducing project timelines.

• Growth in green building practices and adoption of sustainable construction material to address environmental regulations.

• Governmental Infrastructure Initiatives and Public-Private Partnerships Fuel Investment in Transportation and Civic Projects.

• The advancement of digital construction tools-including Building Information Modelling-controls the flow of the project better with increased accuracy.

• Well-built presence of leading international construction companies in the country with advanced project management skills and expertise.

Challenges and Barriers to the Construction Market Today

• Supply chain failure and increased material prices delay budgets and are disturbing project schedules, impeding the construction demand in Europe.

• Labour intensive with high-priced labour without a competent workforce present in the construction industry.

• Across countries, regulatory complexities and stringent building codes make project approvals very cumbersome.

• Ageing infrastructure requires huge investment in maintenance and upgrading syphon funds from new projects.

• Economic uncertainties and fluctuating interest rates hit financing and investment in construction projects.

• Concerns over environmental impact and local opposition slow down project development.

Innovative Solutions and Technologies Transforming the Europe Construction Market

• Implement smart city technologies that integrate the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence, enabling efficient urban planning and infrastructure management.

• Develop state-of-the-art insulation and energy-efficient building systems that can lower operational costs and reduce their impact on the environment.

• Robotics and automation taken into the construction process to enhance accuracy and reduce labour dependence, boosting the Europe construction market revenue globally.

• Growth in modular construction techniques to quicker and more sustainable building solutions.

• Relationships and research collaborations with leading academic institutions and research centres to drive innovation and solve critical industry challenges.

Price Indices

• Fluctuation in steel, concrete, and lumber prices, as the global market dictates.

• The impact of energy costs on construction expenses, notably high in an energy-intensive manufacturing process.

• Land prices and real estate market conditions fluctuation that affects a project cost.

• Impact of new technologies and construction methods in reducing or increasing the building expenses.

• Changes in labour market conditions and wages influence the overall budget of the project.

• Government incentives, subsidies, and tax policies affect the affordability and profitability of construction projects, thereby being hurdles to the smooth flow of Europe construction industry revenue.

Demand Key Indicators

• Economic growth with an increased GDP driving higher investments in infrastructure and commercial projects.

• Growth in tourism and hospitality sectors resulting in increasing demand for hotels, resorts, and associated facilities.

• Climate change initiatives driving resilient and sustainable buildings constructions.

• Urban renewal and regeneration projects aimed at the rejuvenation of ageing city areas increase construction activity.

• Higher investments in transportation networks—roads, railways, and airports—spur construction demand in Europe.

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Europe Construction Market Regional Analysis

Germany holds a substantial market share as the country has passed many housing policies to facilitate development of residential sector

Sustainable construction methods have gained substantial traction in the European construction industry, reflecting a commitment to environmental responsibility, resource efficiency, and the long-term well-being of communities. Green building certification systems such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), and the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) provide benchmarks for sustainable construction.

As per the construction industry in Europe, in terms of residential infrastructure development, Germany construction market holds a significant portion of the European construction market. Germany has enacted housing policies designed to foster and facilitate residential development. These initiatives include providing subsidies for energy-efficient construction, offering incentives for urban development, and establishing regulatory frameworks that champion sustainable housing practices.

On the other hand, the United Kingdom and France have been increasingly focusing on civil infrastructure development. Some of the major ongoing projects include Hinkley Point C, the restoration of the Palace of Westminster, Grand Paris Express, and the Nantes New CHU Hospital Development, which can accelerate the Europe construction market growth.

Europe Construction Market Competitive Landscape

Construction companies in Europe are adopting sustainable construction methods to demonstrate their commitment to high environmental standards and push the growth of the Europe construction industry.

Other key players boosting the construction demand growth in Europe include Hochtief AG, Eiffage S.A., STRABAG International GmbH, Balfour Beatty plc, Ferrovial S.A., and Acciona, S.A, among others.

Key Highlights of the Report

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Europe Construction Market Report Snapshots

Europe Construction Market Size

Europe Construction Market Trends

Europe Construction Market Growth

Europe Construction Market Share

Europe Construction Market Regional Analysis

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