Goldman Sachs Research

Productivity Stagnation in the Construction Industry: An International Perspective

Feb 3, 2026

From 1970 to 2024, productivity in the US construction industry fell by 30% while economy-wide productivity more than doubled. This report explores why the US construction industry’s productivity has underperformed relative to both the rest of the US economy and other countries.

  • US Economics Analyst
    Productivity Stagnation in the Construction Industry: An International Perspective