GCC: Prefabricated Buildings Market 2025

Prefabricated Buildings Market Size in GCC

The GCC prefabricated buildings market rose rapidly to $X in 2022, with an increase of 6.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Prefabricated Buildings Production in GCC

In value terms, prefabricated buildings production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 51%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Prefabricated Buildings Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2022, overseas shipments of prefabricated buildings decreased by -12.7% to X units for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports continue to indicate a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X units in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, prefabricated buildings exports declined to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the largest exporter of prefabricated buildings in GCC, with the volume of exports finishing at X units, which was near 66% of total exports in 2022. Kuwait (X units) took a 23% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Saudi Arabia (7.4%). Oman (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to prefabricated buildings exports from the United Arab Emirates stood at -3.7%. At the same time, Kuwait (+2.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +2.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Oman (-1.3%) and Saudi Arabia (-20.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+15 p.p.) and Kuwait (+14 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Saudi Arabia (-29.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest prefabricated buildings supplier in GCC, comprising 79% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kuwait ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United Arab Emirates totaled -5.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kuwait (+2.6% per year) and Saudi Arabia (-18.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per unit in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the export price increased by 27%. The level of export peaked at $X per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per unit), while Oman ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+2.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Prefabricated Buildings Imports

Imports in GCC

After two years of growth, purchases abroad of prefabricated buildings decreased by -6.8% to X units in 2022. In general, imports recorded a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 50% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X units in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, prefabricated buildings imports rose to $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 51%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X units) represented the key importer of prefabricated buildings, constituting 57% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Oman (X units), Kuwait (X units) and Qatar (X units), together constituting a 40% share of total imports. Bahrain (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to prefabricated buildings imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at -4.2%. Qatar and Kuwait experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Bahrain (-10.4%) and Oman (-13.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar increased by +9.4, +6 and +5.9 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the largest prefabricated buildings importing markets in GCC were Qatar ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Kuwait ($X), together accounting for 67% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Qatar, with a CAGR of +6.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per unit in 2022, rising by 11% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 55%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per unit. From 2018 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per unit), while Oman ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+5.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform