Do you often find yourself looking at the photos of marvelous buildings all over the world with amazement? Or have you ever visited some of them and felt inspired by the atmosphere they generated?
Apart from being one of the most prosperous industries in the world, as the latest construction statistics show, construction is much more than merely putting the elements together to create a functional infrastructure. Construction sculpts the world around us and contributes to each person’s perception of unique architectural feats.
If you’re curious to find out more, take a look at what our research has found about the industry’s modern-day impact on the global economy, certain construction worker profiles, and their safety at work.
Key Construction Statistics and Facts Reviewed
- Giza, Lincoln Cathedral, and Stralsund’s St. Mary’s were each, at one point in time, the world’s tallest building.
- It took the equivalent of a US town to build Burj Khalifa.
- Today’s meaning of the word “skyscraper” is completely different from what it originally referred to.
- 80% of construction companies struggled to find construction site workers.
- Female workers make up 9.1% of all US construction workers and employees.
- Women still encounter gender-based difficulties in the construction industry.
- There’s been a decrease in demand for big warehousing centers.
- Chinese companies are still the global leader in the construction market in terms of revenue.
- Approximately 150,000 construction site accidents result in injuries each year.
- In the UK, from 2016 to 2017, 7% of those who were killed at work died because an object collapsed on a construction site.
Fun Construction Facts from All Over the Globe
Do you know what the tallest building in the world is? Find the answer in this section.
1. Giza, Lincoln Cathedral, and Stralsund’s St. Mary’s were each, at one point in time, the world’s tallest building.
(The Lincolnite)
The Great Pyramid of Giza held the title of world’s tallest building for 4 millennia prior to being replaced by England’s Lincoln Cathedral in 1311. This structure’s main spire reached 525 feet. Its height was unsurpassed for nearly 250 years until a severe storm in 1548. The central spire collapsed, making St. Mary’s Church in Stralsund the tallest building.
2. Some interesting facts about construction: it took the equivalent of a US town to build Burj Khalifa.
(Luxe Adventure Traveler)
As the tallest building in the world built by a human workforce (2,716.5 feet), it’s no wonder so many workers were engaged in this fabulous skyscraper’s construction. It took over 100,000 tons of concrete and 55,000 tons of steel. To erect the 164-floor building (one of which is underground), thousands of people were hired. At the busiest period of construction, over 12,000 people were actively involved.
3. Bridges are vital supporting structures, but did you know there are those that lead absolutely nowhere?
(Base Concrete)
This is one of the particularly fun facts about construction. The majority of bridges serve their purpose, overcoming geographical barriers in order to facilitate travel and the movement of goods. However, some of them simply haven’t been completed for ages, and others were installed as pieces of art. A well-known example is the Half-Bridge of Hope in Russia.
4.Today’s meaning of the word “skyscraper” is completely different from what it originally referred to.
(Construct Connect)
Here’s another of the interesting facts about architecture and construction—this one from the Oxford English Dictionary. Long before people began to call impressively tall buildings “skyscrapers” in 1882, the word was already in use. It referred to other things of outstanding height (and beings, too), such as cylinder hats, horses standing up on their back hooves, exceptionally tall men, people riding the old-fashioned high-wheelers, etc.
Construction Industry Employment Statistics
In this section, we’ll be looking at employee statistics and facts in the construction industry.
5. In 2018, construction labor shortage statistics showed that 80% of construction companies struggled to find construction site workers.
(Giatec Scientific)
Partially, the problem can be explained by the gradual loss of interest in skill-based jobs among the younger generations. Nowadays, suit-and-tie and healthcare careers are gaining more popularity, winning out over construction jobs. Furthermore, 32% of this industry’s current employee base belongs to the aging population (45-64 years old), according to 2018’s data.
6. In the case of women in construction, statistics reveal that female workers make up 9.1% of all US construction workers and employees.
(CNBC)
Generally, they earn on average 95.7% of what their male counterparts make, according to the National Association of Women in Construction. Comparatively, women across all industries make approximately 82% of what their male counterparts earn.
7. Women still encounter gender-based difficulties in the construction industry.
(The Undercover Recruiter)
The construction worker facts we reviewed suggest that these challenges include sexual harassment, a shortage of benefits, a pay gap, and social discrimination. Furthermore, construction equipment is still insufficiently adjusted to women, thus increasing the risk of them becoming injured. Also, women often don’t consider construction careers due to the overall lack of female role models. We can only hope that U.S. construction industry statistics for 2022 will show more gender equality.
Current Trends in the Construction Industry
Let’s see what types of buildings are in high demand and what the future brings to the construction industry.
8. Large-scale commercial construction statistics from 2019 indicate that there’s been a decrease in demand for big warehousing centers.
(FMInet)
Since 2019, trade bargains have diminished, meaning the short-term necessities for warehousing items have decreased in number as well. However, there’s still a high demand for luxurious shopping centers, amusement parks and recreation facilities, temporary accommodation facilities, and business offices ( hopefully, with a move towards green buildings).
Still, the overall commercial construction industry decreased by 4% ($92 billion) in 2019.
9. New home construction statistics indicate that America will need to build 4.6 million new apartments by 2030 in order to meet rising demand.
(NAAHQ)
A 2017 study by the National Apartment Association concluded that millions of new residential apartments will be needed over the following 10 years. This will mean that construction productivity statistics will need to increase in order to meet the demand.
The main reasons identified are the increasing number of young adults aged 18–34 who are postponing buying a home, the elderly opting to live in apartments (as compared to a house), and the influx of immigrants. In addition to the demand for new apartments, almost 12 million existing apartments will need remodeling.
10. Comparing national construction statistics, Chinese companies are still the global leader in the construction market in terms of revenue.
(Deloitte)
Chinese companies still hold the title of number one based on revenue, making up 41% of the market. Japan and South Korea, as well as the US, the UK, Spain, and France, are also among the dominant countries in the global construction market, according to global construction statistics. However, China’s international company sales rate is lower than that of the mentioned countries.
Construction Safety Statistics and Facts
As statistics show, construction workers are at high risk of injuries. Delve in to find out what are the most common causes of accidents in the construction industry.
11. Over 20% of private-industry worker fatalities occur within the construction industry.
(OSHA)
In other words, one out of every five work-related deaths happens to a construction worker. But what is it that causes frequent construction-related fatalities? As per statistics, the main causes are the following: falls, being hit by an object, electric shocks, and getting caught between objects. These four types of accidents are to blame for 58.6% of construction-related deaths.
12. According to construction accident statistics, approximately 150,000 construction site accidents result in injuries each year.
(Murphy Law Office)
As previously stated, falls make up the largest portion of all construction workers’ accidents, but accidents involving various kinds of contact with equipment as a cause aren’t rare either. Those most likely to have an accident on a construction site are workers aged 25–34. Additionally, the body parts most commonly affected by such injuries involve the back, spine, and torso.
13. Construction injury statistics from the UK report that between 2016 and 2019, there were 54,000 cases of construction-related injuries.
(Health and Safety Executive)
Moreover, 37% of the injured workers required more than three days off for recovery, while it took more than seven days for up to 28%. Around 2.4% of the workers in this sector suffered an injury. This means the only industry that has surpassed construction in non-fatal injuries is the agriculture, forestry & fishing industry, with a rate of 4.1%.
14. In the UK, from 2016 to 2017, 7% of those who were killed at work died because an object collapsed on a construction site.
(The NBS)
Construction industry statistics show that workers operating around excavations are more endangered than others because the risk of objects collapsing is higher. Even when a small or light object (such as tools or debris) falls from above, it accelerates at a rate of 22 mph, thus still risking severe injury. These accidents also include wall and roof collapses, which are especially likely to happen during demolition or renovation.
15. Construction statistics show that construction laborers are at high risk of multiple respiratory diseases.
(Health and Safety Executive)
The majority of construction-related activities involve exposure to harmful circumstances affecting respiratory organs, and if workplace safety isn’t taken care of in advance, the effects are hazardous. Most frequently, construction workers suffer from asbestos-related conditions, such as mesothelioma, severe lung scarring, pleural thickening, COPD, and occupational asthma. Unfortunately, asbestos is still produced around the world despite gloomy statistics on asbestos-induced deaths.
Conclusion
The powerful construction industry is most actively involved in shaping the landscape of the modern world’s future. Although it has been affected by many challenges, it continues to flourish—despite the ever-changing socio-economic circumstances, as well as alterations in resource and material availability, etc.
Even though contractors predict more challenging circumstances due to the current global pandemic, according to what our construction statistics leading up to 2022 indicate, construction is still booming and offering plenty of opportunities for prosperous careers for both men and women.
FAQ
How many people are employed by the construction industry?
The construction industry in the United States employs around 7 million people. The industry is one of the biggest employers in the country. These 7 million employees create around $1.3 trillion in structures annually.
(AGC)
Is the construction industry booming?
Yes, it is. Along with the furniture industry, it’s one of the most profitable ones. As per economists’ predictions, although the global expansion of the construction industry slowed down to a rate of 2.6% in 2019 (this especially applies to the world’s strongest economies, like that of Australia and the US), the rate of growth in 2020 could reach 3.1%.
However, there are certain social and geopolitical circumstances that could subvert the estimates, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic or the trade war between the US and China.
(Global Data)
What is the largest construction company in the United States?
Currently, this is Bechtel Group Inc., a global construction company based in San Francisco, California. It was among the two American construction companies to rank among the 15 world’s biggest construction contractors in 2014, with the rest of these companies mostly coming from Europe and China. One of Bechtel’s most significant projects is the Hoover Dam. The company’s total revenue in 2018 exceeded $25 billion.
(Zippia)
What state has the most construction work?
Most states have faced an increase in demand for construction employees. However, according to 2018’s BLS data, the top three states with the highest rates of construction employment are West Virginia, New Mexico, and Wyoming. However, the states with the most construction work are Texas, California, and Florida in terms of the total number of jobs.
(BLS)
How big is the construction industry?
Construction is a major contributor to the US economy. 7 million construction employees work for more than 680,000 employers, and together they create structures and buildings valued at close to $1.3 trillion every year. Furthermore, this industry represents some of the biggest customers for manufacturing, mining, and a variety of other services, according to the construction statistics.
(AGC)
