Structural materials used in skyscrapers worldwide 2021

In 2021, most buildings of at least 200 meters of height were constructed with concrete as their structural material. The second most common type of construction material for skyscrapers worldwide was composite, with 552 tall buildings in this category. In reality, these figures could be slightly higher, as the structural material used for 97 buildings as unknown. These are usually older buildings for whom there was not enough information. Concrete is in fact commonplace in in the construction industry. This is the result of low costs, the ubiquity of the material, and its relative simplicity in construction processes. However, like other commodities, concrete is subject to supply chain shocks and may not always play a dominant role in the construction of skyscrapers. Additionally, there have been concerns regarding the impact of this material on the planet due to the high number of CO2 emissions generated by the manufacture of cement. Cement is one of the ingredients of concrete.

Where are most skyscrapers located?

As of 2022, the city with the highest number of skyscrapers of over 200 meters in the world was Dubai, which had 30 of such buildings, compared to New York City's 16. The third, fourth, and fifth city with the highest number of tall buildings were all in China. In fact, China was by far the country where most skyscrapers worldwide were located.

Skyscrapers in Asia

The highest building in China was the Shanghai Tower, which was well over 600 meters high. Although, the construction industry often mirrors the economic development of a country, one must be aware of the lagging timeframe that the completion of a skyscraper occupies. Tall buildings require years to plan, design, and construct and thus, this number is not necessarily a good economic indicator for the present time. However, the second highest building in the world was Merdeka, completed in Malaysia in 2022.