Ernst & Young Global Limited

The construction industry — one of the world’s top 10 employers — faces growing demand as urbanization accelerates, especially in developing countries. The UN predicts that 68% of people will live in cities by 2050. And, across the globe there’s a growing need for new infrastructure. But labor shortages threaten the industry, especially in Europe, and productivity has not increased for decades. The industry has also been slow to adopt the technologies that are needed for higher productivity and to meet the demands of an increasingly digital world. It’s a critical time — firms must tackle legacy issues, as well as plan for a digital future.