Kuwait outpaces global giants in per capita construction spending
Recent data published by MEED highlights Kuwait’s strong and stable standing on the regional construction landscape, with total sector output reaching $13.1 billion.
The report underscores Kuwait’s notable performance in construction output per capita, which stands at $3,275. This key indicator reflects the average share of spending per resident on infrastructure, development projects, public facilities, and bridges.
The figure signals robust government and private sector investment in nationwide infrastructure, placing Kuwait ahead of major economies such as India, Brazil, and Egypt in per capita construction spending, reports Al-Rai daily.
At the Gulf level, the report points to a continued construction boom, led by Qatar, which recorded the highest construction output per capita globally at $18,433, followed by the United Arab Emirates at $11,990.
A wide gap emerges when compared with other regional markets. Turkey posted $1,657 per capita, while Egypt recorded $757, and Algeria reached $1,109, reinforcing the concentration of construction investment within the Gulf region.
Globally, China continues to dominate the construction sector, with seven of the world’s top ten companies ranked by annual revenue.
China State Construction Engineering Corporation leads the list, generating revenues exceeding $304 billion and employing more than 361,000 workers. Other major players include China Railway Group and China Railway Construction Corporation.
Despite China’s total construction output surpassing $5 trillion, its per capita share stands at $3,665, reflecting the impact of its population of more than 1.4 billion.
In Europe, representation among top global contractors remains limited, with Vinci ranking sixth, Bouygues eighth, and Spain’s ACS Group also featuring among leading firms.
Meanwhile, commodity markets witnessed sharp movements, with gold prices surging by 64% in February 2026 to reach $5,031.90 per ounce, reflecting heightened global economic uncertainty.
