Business and industry in Norway - The building and construction industry

The building and construction sector comprises the construction and maintenance of houses and commercial buildings, and the development of roads, airports and facilities related to defence, energy, oil, gas, railways and tramlines. This sector contains many small companies. The large companies account for a smaller share of the construction output in Norway that in other countries. However, building contractors are constantly restructuring, and Veidekke and Selmer Skanska, for instance, have been behind several acquisitions. The public sector, through the local authorities and the Public Roads Administration, also stand for a considerable share of the activities in the building and construction sector.

The building and construction industry is extremely sensitive to fluctuations in the market, and is often the industry that registers the first signs of major changes in the economy. This industry accounts for a considerable share of the total energy and materials consumed in Norway, and generates a correspondingly large share of its overall waste. An increased focus on the lifetime of buildings, such as management, operations, maintenance and development, has given rise to new business areas. Major developments, such as the new National Hospital and the construction of Oslo Airport Gardermoen, have been extremely important to the level of activity in this sector.

Number of employees: National accounts figures for 1997. Back >