Global, September 11, 2025
News Summary
A major industry report projects the global civil engineering market will expand substantially, rising from USD 13.8 trillion to USD 23.0 trillion driven by a 5.2% CAGR. The planning & design and building segments are expected to lead revenues, supported by urban growth, infrastructure investment, smart city programs and renewable energy projects. Key drivers include adoption of BIM, modular construction and sustainable materials, while challenges include material price volatility, supply chain limits and labor shortages. Regional patterns show rapid expansion in Asia-Pacific and steadier modernization in North America and Europe, creating opportunities for technology-enabled, integrated service providers.
Global civil engineering market set for long-term rise
A market study published on September 11, 2025 projects the global civil engineering market to grow from USD 13.8 trillion in 2025 to USD 23.0 trillion by 2035, expanding at an average rate of 5.2% compound annual growth. The report identifies planning & design and the building segments as the largest service and application areas in 2025, and highlights steady but shifting growth patterns through 2035.
Top-line growth and decade stages
The study maps three distinct phases across 2021–2035. From 2021 to 2025 the market rose from USD 10.7 trillion to USD 13.8 trillion with roughly steady annual gains. The 2026–2030 block shows stronger, broadened growth with the market moving from USD 13.8 trillion in 2026 to USD 16.9 trillion in 2030. From 2031 to 2035 the market continues expanding to USD 23.0 trillion but with a mild slowing of the annual increment as some regions near infrastructure saturation.
Segment and sector breakdown
By service type, planning & design is projected to hold the largest share of revenue in 2025 at about 39.6%. Other service divisions include construction management, maintenance, and support services such as consultancy and inspection. By application, the building segment is expected to account for about 45.1% of market revenue in 2025, driven by ongoing demand for homes, offices, institutional buildings and public facilities.
Five parent markets pushing demand
Five broad markets together shape civil engineering demand: construction and infrastructure (the largest share at roughly 28–32%), building materials and equipment (20–24%), transportation and urban mobility (15–18%), water and wastewater management (10–12%), and energy and utilities (8–10%).
Regional and single-country outlook
The report covers more than 40 countries and groups markets into regions ranging from North America and Western Europe to multiple Asian and Central Asian markets and the Middle East & Africa. China is projected to grow fastest at about 7.0% CAGR from 2025–2035, followed by India at 6.5% CAGR. France, the UK and the USA are expected to register moderate growth in the range of about 4.4–5.5% CAGR.
Key drivers
Market expansion is tied to large-scale infrastructure projects, urban growth, public–private funding models, smart city investments, and growth in transport and utility networks. Planning and design services play an increasing role in efficiency, safety and cost control as projects grow more complex. The rise of digital tools such as 3D modeling and virtual simulation, modular construction, and sustainable materials also speeds up project delivery and lowers rework.
Challenges and technical risks
The sector faces supply chain pressures, raw material price swings, labor shortages and varied regulatory requirements across regions. Technical issues include geotechnical uncertainty, structural assessment demands and the need for smarter resource allocation on complex jobs. These constraints can slow projects and raise costs.
Opportunities and technology trends
Opportunities include retrofit and modernization programs, renewable energy infrastructure, industrial automation, and advanced construction materials. The use of Building Information Modeling (BIM), automation and integrated digital project management is helping firms offer faster, more predictable and more transparent delivery. Sustainability and climate resilience are increasingly integrated into design and construction choices.
Market competition
Competition is shaped by scale, technical skill and international reach. Leading firms compete across heavy civil works, transportation systems, water and energy projects, and integrated design-and-build models. Strategies in the market include integrated delivery, digital project management and cross-border partnerships, and companies that combine technical depth with cost-effective digital solutions are best placed to win work.
Notable project and industry notes
Other items tracked alongside the market study include a major planned rail upgrade across two African states involving a multi-year concession and a multi-hundred-million-dollar investment to revive a strategic freight line. The study also referenced a list of global, high-profile projects and research notes on civil engineering education trends in some countries that affect future workforce supply.
What this means for buyers and builders
The decade ahead offers steady growth and many chances for firms that adopt digital design, modular offsite methods and sustainable practices. Public funding, private partnerships and demand in Asia-Pacific for new construction are likely to remain the dominant engines, while mature markets will focus more on retrofitting and efficiency gains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the projected size of the global civil engineering market by 2035?
The market is projected to reach USD 23.0 trillion by 2035.
What is the expected compound annual growth rate?
The market is forecast to grow at about 5.2% CAGR between 2025 and 2035.
Which service and application segments lead the market?
Planning & design is the largest service segment by revenue share in 2025, and the building application segment is the largest application, accounting for about 45.1% of revenue in 2025.
Which countries are expected to grow the fastest?
China and India are projected to grow fastest, with China at about 7.0% CAGR and India at about 6.5% CAGR from 2025 to 2035.
What are the main challenges facing the sector?
Key challenges include raw material price volatility, supply chain limits, workforce shortages, and technical risks like geotechnical uncertainty and structural assessment needs.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| 2025 Market Size | USD 13.8 trillion |
| 2035 Market Size | USD 23.0 trillion |
| Forecast CAGR (2025–2035) | 5.2% |
| Largest service segment (2025) | Planning & design (39.6% revenue share) |
| Largest application (2025) | Building (45.1% revenue share) |
| Top regional growth | Asia-Pacific leads new construction; North America and Europe focus on modernization |
| Fastest-growing countries | China (7.0% CAGR), India (6.5% CAGR) |
| Major drivers | Infrastructure projects, urbanization, public–private investment, smart cities |
| Main challenges | Material prices, supply chains, labor, technical risks |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Global Construction Review: China’s CCECC to invest $1.4bn in Africa’s Tazara line
- Wikipedia: Tanzania–Zambia Railway Authority
- Bloomberg: China to invest $1.4 billion to upgrade Africa’s Tazara railway line
- Google Search: Tazara railway upgrade
- Railway Gazette: Libyan railway construction could restart
- Google Scholar: Libyan railway construction
- African Review: CCECC reaches milestone on Nigeria roads project
- Encyclopedia Britannica: CCECC
- Interesting Engineering: 11 civil engineering projects that might define the future
- Google News: civil engineering projects future
Author: Construction CA News
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