Boston, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/11/2014 -- The Saudi Arabian construction industry registered a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.94% during the review period (2008-2012). Industry expansion was supported by the government's initiatives to transform the country from an oil-based economy to one more reliant on manufacturing and services. This resulted in significant investments in infrastructure development, which positively affected other markets in the industry. Population growth and a rise in disposable income also increased the demand for residential, commercial and institutional buildings. The industry is expected to record a forecast-period (2012-2017) CAGR of 5.54%, driven by an increase in government expenditure on infrastructure construction.

Report Highlights

- According to the Central Department of Statistics and Information, Saudi Arabia's population increased from 28.4 million in 2011 to 29.2 million in 2012, registering an annual growth of 2.9%. This growth was significantly lower than the last five-year (2008-2012) average rate of 3.2%, as the birth rate (per 1,000) declined from 23.6 in 2007 to 21.8 in 2012. The gender distribution of the population remains skewed, with males accounting for 55% of the total population and females accounting for 45.0%. According to UN estimates, Saudi Arabia's population is expected to reach 33.5 million by 2020.
- The unemployment rate averaged at 5.37% during 2009-2012, but fell to 5.1% in 2013. The reduction has been attributed to government policies in early 2013, aimed at reducing the number of unskilled expatriates in the labor force, which initially had an adverse effect on sectors that were dependent on that form of labor. However, it has resulted in a number of individuals being able to find jobs. Timetric expects this scheme, along with the general economic performance, to bring the unemployment rate down to 4.9% by 2017.
- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is undertaking a railway network project which will connect six GCC states in the Middle East by 2018, at an estimated investment of SAR58.1 billion (US$15.5 billion). Saudi Arabia will be part of the project, which involves the construction of 2,177km of rail line, covering the Gulf coast and extending from Oman to Kuwait, passing through the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
- The country's population growth has caused housing demand to outstrip supply. Demand for affordable housing is particularly strong, with low and middle-income households making up over 75.0% of the unmet demand. The government is making large-scale investments in developing low-income housing. Government policies, low interest rates, easy credit accessibility, demographics, and the large housing deficit will continue to support growth in low-income residential property demand in the country.

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Companies Mentioned in this Report: Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company, Mohammad Al-Mojil Group, El Seif Engineering Contracting Company Ltd, Saudi Binladin Group, Abdullah AM Al-Khodari Sons Company

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