Monthly workforce size in U.S. construction 2000-2024

The construction sector employed over eight million people in the United States in August 2024, which was the highest number since the 21st century. There is a strong correlation between the amount of investment in construction and demand for workers. For example, in the years following the 2008 financial crisis, the value of new construction put in place in the U.S. decreased, which also translated in lower employee numbers in the construction sector. 

How to improve the job shortage?

Many contractors have reported difficulty finding skilled workers recently. However, that has not only been the case in the construction industry, but in many other sectors of the economy too. For example, U.S. restaurants reported shortages in different positions in the past years. Although there are many reasons why workers may quit, in general, an increase in the salaries of construction employees may help in reducing the number of resignations.

Worker shortages in Europe

The United States is not the only country where companies have been facing these challenges. Thus, the percentage of French infrastructure companies reporting staff shortage peaked in 2019 and 2022. However, there are certain industries that struggle finding new employees more than construction. Social and care work had the highest skilled labor shortages in Germany.