Income

The total income for the construction industry in 2017 was R495,5 billion. The total income represents an increase of 7,8% per annum over the income reported in the corresponding survey of 2014 (R395,1 billion). Comparing 2014 and 2017, large increases were reported for ‘construction of civil engineering structures’ (+R35,9 billion), ‘construction of buildings’ (+R33,5 billion) and ‘other building installation’ (+R13,9 billion).

Profit margin

The profit margin for the construction industry was 2,9% in 2017. ‘Construction of other structures’ had the highest profit margin at 8,4%, followed by ‘site preparation’ and ‘other building installation’ both at 6,1%. ‘Renting of construction or demolition equipment with operators’ had the lowest profit margin of 0,5%.

Employment

The total number of persons employed in the construction industry as at the end of June 2017 was 597 006. ‘Construction of civil engineering structures’ employed the largest number of persons (210 808 or 35,3%), followed by ‘construction of buildings’ (124 176 or 20,8%), ‘other building completion’ (72 535 or 12,1%) and ‘electrical contractors’ (43 060 or 7,2%).