-0.2%
predicted output growth in 20261.8%
predicted output growth in 20272.8%
predicted output growth in 20282.3%
predicted output growth in 20292.1%
predicted output growth in 2030
Construction Workforce Outlook
Labour Market Intelligence Report 2026 to 2030
The Construction Workforce Outlook brings together economic forecasts and labour market intelligence to provide a consistent picture of construction demand across the UK. Forecasts are available for the UK, the devolved nations and the nine English regions.
This interactive tool provides insight into the UK construction economy and its future workforce requirements.
It presents forecast trends over the five year period from 2026 to 2030, showing how the industry is expected to change year on year. The tool helps users understand current labour market conditions and assess future workforce and skills needs.
Economic outlook
The UK economy is expected to strengthen over the forecast period, following a weaker start. Construction output is projected to grow across the devolved nations and the nine English regions, although performance will vary by location and sector.
Activity is expected to remain subdued in 2026, before recovering from 2027 onwards as confidence improves. Growth is forecast to peak in the middle of the period, before easing slightly towards 2030.
Output growth by sector
The major sectors for growth between 2026-2030 are:
Infrastructure
2.5% per year on average
Public new housing
3.6% per year on average
Private new housing
2.5% per year on averageOutput
Construction Industry Output Sectors 2025
In the latest year of data, the total UK construction output was valued at £230 billion. Around 41 percent of this total was repair and maintenance activity, although the balance between repair and maintenance and new work differs across nations and regions.
Annual average construction output growth 2026 to 2030
Construction output in the UK is forecast to grow over the five year period from 2026 to 2030. Growth is expected to be slower in the short term before strengthening over the medium term.
Annual average output growth varies by nation and region, reflecting differences in local economic conditions, the mix of sectors and construction activity.
Workforce
Current and forecast total workforce figures 2025 and 2030
The Construction Workforce Outlook estimates the size of the UK construction workforce over the forecast period.
At a UK level, the construction workforce is projected to grow from its current level to meet expected levels of construction activity.
The workforce is forecast to reach around 2.68 million by 2030.
Trends will vary by nation, region and occupation, reflecting differences in project pipelines, sector mix and workforce age profiles.
UK actual 2025:
2,606,380UK forecast 2030:
2,681,800England actual 2025:
2,228,540England forecast 2030:
2,298,080Extra workers
Extra workers needed as a percentage of 2025 workforce
The Outlook estimates how many additional workers are needed each year to meet forecast demand.
This reflects the need to support growth in construction activity, replace workers leaving the industry, and sustain overall workforce levels as people move into and out of construction.
An average of 41,200 extra workers will be needed each year between 2026 and 2030. This is equivalent to 1.6% of the 2025 workforce, or around 206,000 additional workers over the five year period.
Demand will vary by region, type of work and occupation, depending on project activity and the age profile of the workforce.
Hover over the chart to see how the percentage and number of extra workers differ by occupational group.
Reports and methodology
For more detailed analysis of the economic outlook, construction output and workforce demand, you can download the full UK report, along with individual nation and English region workforce plans, using the links below.
Information on the research approach and methodology used by the Construction Workforce Outlook, produced in partnership with Oxford Economics, is also available.
Construction Workforce Outlook | United Kingdom
Construction Workforce Outlook | England
Construction Workforce Outlook | Scotland
Construction Workforce Outlook | Wales
Construction Workforce Outlook | Northern Ireland
Construction Workforce Outlook | Explained
Provides an overview of the research methods the Construction Workforce Outlook and Oxford Economics use to produce the suite of reports at a UK, national and regional level.
Data | File
Download Excel file for data used in website charts.