Dublin, Ireland, September 8, 2025
News Summary
A major market study forecasts significant expansion in the global construction market, driven by housing, commercial development and infrastructure, with sustainability and advanced technologies accelerating change. Africa’s data‑centre construction is identified as a faster‑growing niche due to cloud demand and AI workloads. The specialist insurance sector is consolidating after an acquisition of a Dublin and Galway underwriting business focused on construction risks. A partial collapse of a derelict Dublin terrace with large unpaid levies highlights safety, fiscal and planning challenges posed by long‑term vacancy. Together the trends point to growth, innovation and evolving risk management needs.
Global construction market tops USD 13.4 trillion in 2025; set to surge to USD 20.6 trillion by 2033
September 08, 2025 06:05 ET | Source: Research and Markets
New market analysis issued from Dublin indicates the global construction sector is currently valued at USD 13.4 trillion for 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 20.6 trillion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 5.51% over the period. The report frames construction as a broad activity set covering residential and commercial buildings and major infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges and airports, and highlights the sector’s central role in economic development and job creation.
Key market drivers and trends
The analysis identifies urbanization, industrialization and rising demand for housing and commercial space as primary long‑term growth drivers. The report also points to stronger investment in research and development, and a move toward sustainable construction practices. Green building initiatives, energy‑efficient design and the use of renewable or low‑carbon materials are increasingly standard requirements on many projects.
Digital and automated tools are marked out as transformational. Adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM), 3D printing and automated construction equipment is said to improve design precision, reduce material waste and enhance collaboration across project teams, contributing to cost savings and higher quality outcomes.
Market makeup and opportunities
The sector is described as diverse and competitive, comprising multinational contractors, regional builders and a growing number of niche service providers. Segmentation headings in the report include breakdowns by product type, application, end user, technology, distribution channel and geography, aimed at revealing growth opportunities and restraining factors across regions and project types.
For more detailed coverage and purchasing information the analysis is available online via the report link: https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/12lxa5
Africa data‑center construction market attracting rapid investment
February 17, 2025 09:37 ET | Source: Research and Markets
A companion report focused on data‑center construction across Africa values the market at USD 1.26 billion in 2024 and forecasts growth to USD 3.06 billion by 2030, reflecting an anticipated CAGR of 15.94% for 2024–2030. Key forces supporting that rise are increased cloud investment, demand driven by artificial intelligence workloads, and wider adoption of renewable energy sources by data‑center operators.
The Africa report provides detailed sections on electrical and mechanical infrastructure, cooling systems and techniques, general construction practices and tier standards, alongside competitive landscape analysis identifying prominent contractors, infrastructure providers and investors.
More information is available at: https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8yeapo
Industry moves: specialty insurer acquired to bolster construction cover
In corporate activity, a specialty insurance group has completed an acquisition of a managing general underwriter that focuses on commercial construction insurance in Ireland. The acquired firm, established in 2017 and based in Dublin and Galway, will be integrated into the buyer’s underwriting managers division and will continue to serve construction clients with products such as latent defect cover and owner‑controlled insurance programmes.
The acquired business has relied on proprietary risk modelling to manage aggregation and secure capital backing. The buyer has previously integrated another specialist firm into the same underwriting division and reported a notable revenue increase in Q3 2024, with total revenue rising by around 20.5 percent year over year.
Local infrastructure story: derelict Dublin terrace collapses amid unpaid levies
In Dublin, a roof collapse at a terrace of five late 19th century cottages beside the Grand Canal has brought attention to long‑running dereliction and unpaid levies. The properties have been on a local derelict site register since mid‑2023 and the current owner, a construction sector body that has held the vacant homes since the 1990s, owes more than €140,000 in accumulated derelict site charges. Levies are calculated at a percentage of market value with additional monthly interest on unpaid sums.
The roof fell shortly after 8am, propelling masonry onto a public path and cycle lane and scattering debris into the road. The cottages had been heavily overgrown and had recently been covered by a banner tied to a construction safety campaign. The owner has stated that the levies remain outstanding but will be discharged before a planned sale of adjoining office holdings is completed. The site and neighbouring parcels are part of a redevelopment transaction agreed several years ago and remain subject to planning and other conditions.
Local councillors and housing advocates say the collapse underlines the need for stronger enforcement, higher penalties for dereliction and more flexible zoning to allow mixed‑use redevelopment that can help relieve housing pressure in urban areas.
What this means for the market
Taken together, the global market analysis, regional data‑center growth and recent local events underscore a sector in transition: steady long‑run expansion, rapid pockets of technology‑led demand, and regulatory and social pressure to address dereliction and sustainability. Opportunities are substantial, but so are the demands on capital, governance and technical capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current global value of the construction market?
The global construction market is valued at USD 13.4 trillion for 2025 and is projected to reach USD 20.6 trillion by 2033.
What growth rate is expected for the global construction market?
The market is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.51% between 2025 and 2033.
How fast is data‑center construction growing in Africa?
The Africa data‑center construction market was valued at USD 1.26 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 3.06 billion by 2030, with a forecast CAGR of 15.94%.
What are the key technology trends affecting construction?
Major trends include wider use of BIM, 3D printing, automated equipment, smart building systems and renewable materials, all aimed at improving precision, cutting waste and reducing carbon footprints.
What happened in Dublin involving a derelict terrace?
A roof collapse at a terrace of five Victorian cottages beside the Grand Canal highlighted unpaid derelict site levies exceeding €140,000 and renewed calls for stronger enforcement and more flexible zoning to permit mixed‑use redevelopment.
Key features at a glance
| Topic | Key data or trend |
|---|---|
| Global construction market (2025) | USD 13.4 trillion; forecast to USD 20.6 trillion by 2033; CAGR 5.51% |
| Africa data‑center construction | USD 1.26 billion in 2024 to USD 3.06 billion by 2030; CAGR 15.94% |
| Technology trends | BIM, 3D printing, automation, renewable materials |
| Corporate activity | Specialist underwriter acquired and integrated into an underwriting managers division; buyer reported significant recent revenue growth |
| Local governance issue | Derelict terrace collapse in Dublin, unpaid levies above €140,000, calls for stronger enforcement and rezoning |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Reuters: Ireland faces major challenges to scale up construction (Central Bank)
- Wikipedia: Construction industry
- BBC: Article
- Google Search: global construction market 2025 2033
- GlobeNewswire: Africa Data‑Center Construction Market outlook
- Encyclopedia Britannica: data center
- Insurance Business: Ryan Specialty acquires 360 Underwriting
- Google Scholar: construction insurance Ireland
- Irish Times: Construction Industry Federation site sale and dereliction levies
- Google News: derelict site levies Dublin
Author: Construction NY News
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructionnynews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the New York Build Expo, infrastructure breakthroughs, and cutting-edge construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated General Contractors of New York State and the Building Trades Employers' Association, plus leading businesses in construction and real estate that power the local economy such as Turner Construction Company and CMiC Global. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructiontxnews.com, and constructionflnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
