Saudi construction industry to reach $148bn in 2020

The outlook for Saudi Arabian construction remains bright as the industry’s output value is forecast to rise at a CAGR of 7.05 per cent by 2020, compared with 6.35 per cent during the review period (2011-2015). However, low oil prices present major downside risks to the forecast.

According to a report from Timetric’s Construction Intelligence Center (CIC), the industry is consequently set to rise from a value of $105.6 billion in 2015 to $148.5 billion in 2020, measured at constant 2010 US dollar exchange rates.

The growth will be supported by increased government participation and investments in sectors such as health care, education and infrastructure construction to diversify the country’s economy away from oil and to support economic growth.

The government’s White Land Tax initiative to address the country’s housing shortage will also support industry growth.

“There are, however, risks associated with the Saudi construction industry outlook, notably low oil prices, a slowdown in economic growth, a large budget deficit and military intervention in Yemen,” comments Danny Richards, lead economist with Timetric CIC.

“Falling oil prices will likely affect the growth prospects of the Saudi construction industry, as the country generates 73 percent of its total revenue from the oil sector,” said Richards.