Breaking New Ground: The GCC’s Construction Boom
May 12, 2025 | Industry Insights
The Construction Sector in the GCC: An Overview In line with many national projects focusing on cultural, economic, and technological advancement in the GCC, the construction sector is evolving from traditional infrastructure delivery into a strategic engine of transformation. In 2024, the GCC construction sector reached record heights, with project awards surging to $273 billion. Indeed, construction retained its position as the leading sector, with contract awards totaling $75.4 billion in 2024 (Muscat Daily, 2025). Smart cities, advanced transportation projects, and plans for increased tourism necessitate large-scale, multi-disciplinary efforts. With all hands on deck, the region is witnessing an increased demand for various positions, from expert engineers to trained site technicians, equipment operators, and skilled tradespeople. Recent Changes in the Construction Sector in the GCC Merging outstanding construction efforts with a commitment to sustainability, investments in the construction field in the GCC are expected to reach $2 trillion by 2035 (Strategy&). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a key player in the exponential rise of the construction sector in the GCC, poised to invest over $1 trillion in infrastructure projects by 2030 (Franklin Templeton, 2025). In fact, according to 2024 projections, the Kingdom’s economic growth was expected to accelerate to 4.4% in 2025, up from 1.4% in 2024, reinforcing its ambitions to develop large-scale infrastructure projects and diversify its economy, in line with Vision 2030 (Arab News, 2024). Additionally, the construction pipeline value in the UAE reached $590 billion in 2024. Residential projects awarded in the UAE grew from $31 billion in 2022 to $87 billion in 2023, a testament to the nation’s focus on urban expansion and the creation of sustainable cities for future generations (Gulf Today, 2024). This scale of growth underscores not only a clear vision of economic diversification and a focus on the advancement of the construction sector but it also highlights the urgent need for strategic HR solutions to support execution at this pace. Building the Workforce Behind the Vision As the GCC’s construction sector surges forward with mega-projects reshaping skylines and economies, HR solutions are necessary to build the workforce behind the vision. Fisher steps in as a strategic force multiplier, offering a variety of solutions designed to meet the construction industry’s evolving demands. Talent that Builds the Future Complex projects necessitate the right talent to deliver excellent results under pressure. Fisher seeks to connect you with a labor force that seeks to turn ambition into reality. Through our Contract Staffing services, businesses have access to short-term, project-specific hiring solutions that mitigate risk and maximize impact. Beyond that, Fisher’s Executive Search & Headhunting services empower businesses to source seasoned project directors and engineers with GCC-specific expertise, ensuring seamless execution and successful project completion. Leadership at Every Level In a field as meticulous as construction, a single mistake can cost hundreds of man-hours. As such, excellent leadership skills must not be confined to the C-suite—they are necessary on every site, in every crew, and at every phase. Through its Leadership Development services, Fisher trains construction supervisors and team managers to lead effectively, ensuring all workers are nurtured and inspired to exceed expectations. Additionally, through its Performance Management Systems, Fisher empowers businesses to implement KPIs, providing continuous feedback to meet demanding timelines. As the GCC continues to break ground on some of the world’s most ambitious construction projects, ensure you build the workforce that builds our future—with Fisher. References: Arab News. (2023, November 6). GCC construction projects surge to $1.9tn with 60% in Saudi Arabia: Report. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2581781/business-economy Financial Times Institutional. (n.d.). Significant economic transformation across the GCC region will result in attractive investment opportunities for investors. https://www.ftinstitutionalemea.com/press-releases/significant-economic-transformation-across-the-gcc-region-will-result-in-attractive-investment-opportunities-for-investors Gulf Today. (2024, July 21). UAE construction sector activity surges 23% in 2023. https://www.gulftoday.ae/business/2024/07/21/uae-construction-sector-activity-surges-23-in-2023 Muscat Daily. (2025, February 12). GCC project awards rise 9.6% to record high of $273bn in 2024. https://www.muscatdaily.com/2025/02/12/gcc-project-awards-rise-9-6-to-record-high-of-273bn-in-2024/ Strategy&. (n.d.). Sustainable built environment: Regional imperatives and opportunities. PwC. https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/m1/en/strategic-foresight/sector-strategies/sustainability-and-environment/sustainable-built-environment/assets/strategyand-sustainable-built-environment.pdf
The Construction Sector in the GCC: An Overview In line with many national projects focusing on cultural, economic, and technological advancement in the GCC, the construction sector is evolving from traditional infrastructure delivery into a strategic engine of transformation. In 2024, the GCC construction sector reached record heights, with project awards surging to $273 billion. Indeed, construction retained its position as the leading sector, with contract awards totaling $75.4 billion in 2024 (Muscat Daily, 2025). Smart cities, advanced transportation projects, and plans for increased tourism necessitate large-scale, multi-disciplinary efforts. With all hands on deck, the region is witnessing an increased demand for various positions, from expert engineers to trained site technicians, equipment operators, and skilled tradespeople. Recent Changes in the Construction Sector in the GCC Merging outstanding construction efforts with a commitment to sustainability, investments in the construction field in the GCC are expected to reach $2 trillion by 2035 (Strategy&). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a key player in the exponential rise of the construction sector in the GCC, poised to invest over $1 trillion in infrastructure projects by 2030 (Franklin Templeton, 2025). In fact, according to 2024 projections, the Kingdom’s economic growth was expected to accelerate to 4.4% in 2025, up from 1.4% in 2024, reinforcing its ambitions to develop large-scale infrastructure projects and diversify its economy, in line with Vision 2030 (Arab News, 2024). Additionally, the construction pipeline value in the UAE reached $590 billion in 2024. Residential projects awarded in the UAE grew from $31 billion in 2022 to $87 billion in 2023, a testament to the nation’s focus on urban expansion and the creation of sustainable cities for future generations (Gulf Today, 2024). This scale of growth underscores not only a clear vision of economic diversification and a focus on the advancement of the construction sector but it also highlights the urgent need for strategic HR solutions to support execution at this pace. Building the Workforce Behind the Vision As the GCC’s construction sector surges forward with mega-projects reshaping skylines and economies, HR solutions are necessary to build the workforce behind the vision. Fisher steps in as a strategic force multiplier, offering a variety of solutions designed to meet the construction industry’s evolving demands. Talent that Builds the Future Complex projects necessitate the right talent to deliver excellent results under pressure. Fisher seeks to connect you with a labor force that seeks to turn ambition into reality. Through our Contract Staffing services, businesses have access to short-term, project-specific hiring solutions that mitigate risk and maximize impact. Beyond that, Fisher’s Executive Search & Headhunting services empower businesses to source seasoned project directors and engineers with GCC-specific expertise, ensuring seamless execution and successful project completion. Leadership at Every Level In a field as meticulous as construction, a single mistake can cost hundreds of man-hours. As such, excellent leadership skills must not be confined to the C-suite—they are necessary on every site, in every crew, and at every phase. Through its Leadership Development services, Fisher trains construction supervisors and team managers to lead effectively, ensuring all workers are nurtured and inspired to exceed expectations. Additionally, through its Performance Management Systems, Fisher empowers businesses to implement KPIs, providing continuous feedback to meet demanding timelines. As the GCC continues to break ground on some of the world’s most ambitious construction projects, ensure you build the workforce that builds our future—with Fisher. References: Arab News. (2023, November 6). GCC construction projects surge to $1.9tn with 60% in Saudi Arabia: Report. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2581781/business-economy Financial Times Institutional. (n.d.). Significant economic transformation across the GCC region will result in attractive investment opportunities for investors. https://www.ftinstitutionalemea.com/press-releases/significant-economic-transformation-across-the-gcc-region-will-result-in-attractive-investment-opportunities-for-investors Gulf Today. (2024, July 21). UAE construction sector activity surges 23% in 2023. https://www.gulftoday.ae/business/2024/07/21/uae-construction-sector-activity-surges-23-in-2023 Muscat Daily. (2025, February 12). GCC project awards rise 9.6% to record high of $273bn in 2024. https://www.muscatdaily.com/2025/02/12/gcc-project-awards-rise-9-6-to-record-high-of-273bn-in-2024/ Strategy&. (n.d.). Sustainable built environment: Regional imperatives and opportunities. PwC. https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/m1/en/strategic-foresight/sector-strategies/sustainability-and-environment/sustainable-built-environment/assets/strategyand-sustainable-built-environment.pdf
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