Construction sector posts 8.8% rebound in 2022

• Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin: The civil engineering and residential building sub-sectors turned around to positive growth of 2.7% and 3.4%, respectively
• The construction sector continued to perform favourably in 2022’s fourth quarter (4Q), with the value of work done up by 15.7% to RM32.0 billion, after expanding strongly by 23.2% in the third quarter (3Q) of 2022.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 8): The 2022 overall construction sector posted an 8.8% rebound after a two-year declining trend, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said.

In a report on Wednesday (Feb 8), chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said all sub-sectors picked up during the year with double-digit growth recorded in special trade activities (19.6%); and non-residential buildings (18.7%).

“The civil engineering and residential building sub-sectors turned around to positive growth of 2.7% and 3.4%, respectively,” he said.

The total value of work done in 2022’s construction amounted to RM121.9 billion, “lower than the pre-pandemic period” in 2019 which totalled RM146.4 billion, he said.

Mohd Uzir also said that the construction sector continued to perform favourably in 2022’s fourth quarter (4Q), with the value of work done up by 15.7% to RM32.0 billion, after expanding strongly by 23.2% in the third quarter (3Q) of 2022.

Fourth quarter growth momentum was driven by double-digit growth in the civil engineering sub-sector (20.8%); non-residential buildings (19.0%); and special trade activities (12.7%).

The residential sub-sector rose 5.3% compared to a year ago, the statement said.

Of the total RM32.0 billion worth of work done, DOSM said that RM12.1 billion or 37.9% comprised civil engineering, followed by non-residential buildings with a share of 30.1% or RM9.6 billion. The value of work done in residential buildings was RM7 billion (21.8%) and special trade activities was at RM3.26 billion (10.2%).

The private sector was the main impetus to the 4Q’s construction growth, the statement said.

On a state level basis, DOSM said more than 60% of the value of the work done was concentrated in Selangor (RM7.7 billion: 24.2%); Wilayah Persekutuan (RM4.7 billion: 14.7%); Sarawak (RM3.7 billion: 11.7%); and Johor (RM3.4 billion: 10.7%).