The S&P Global UK Construction PMI fell to 38.2 in May 2026 from 39.7 in April, missing market expectations of 40.2 and signaling the sharpest contraction in construction activity since May 2020. Housing remained the weakest-performing segment, while commercial and civil engineering also declined amid client caution linked to inflation and geopolitical tensions. New orders fell at the fastest pace in six years as project delays, deferred investment decisions, and budget cuts weighed on demand. Consequently, employment and purchasing activity continued to decline. On the price front, input cost inflation accelerated to its highest level since June 2022, driven by higher fuel and transport costs. Supplier delivery times also lengthened at the fastest pace since December 2022 amid shipping delays and material shortages. Meanwhile, business confidence remained positive but eased to one of its weakest levels since late 2022 amid concerns over inflation, borrowing costs, and the outlook. source: S&P Global

Construction PMI in the United Kingdom decreased to 38.20 points in May from 39.70 points in April of 2026. Construction PMI in the United Kingdom averaged 51.12 points from 2008 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 66.30 points in June of 2021 and a record low of 8.20 points in April of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Construction Pmi - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Construction PMI in the United Kingdom decreased to 38.20 points in May from 39.70 points in April of 2026. Construction PMI in the United Kingdom is expected to be 45.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Construction PMI is projected to trend around 51.00 points in 2027 and 53.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average House Prices 298806.00 299251.00 GBP May 2026
Construction Orders YoY -11.90 28.10 percent Mar 2026
Construction Output YoY -1.00 -0.30 percent Apr 2026
Mortgage Lending 4370.00 6830.00 GBP Million Apr 2026
Home Ownership Rate 64.50 64.70 percent Dec 2023
Halifax House Price Index MoM -0.10 -0.10 percent May 2026
Halifax House Price Index YoY 0.50 0.40 percent May 2026
Housing Index 515.30 516.00 points May 2026
Housing Starts 37300.00 30320.00 units Dec 2025
Mortgage Approvals 65.94 63.98 Thousand Apr 2026
BBA Mortgage Rate 6.60 6.60 percent May 2026
Nationwide Housing Prices 554.60 556.30 points May 2026
Nationwide Housing Prices MoM -0.60 0.40 percent May 2026
Nationwide Housing Prices YoY 1.70 3.00 percent May 2026
Price to Rent Ratio 110.71 111.09 Dec 2025
Private Rental Prices YoY 3.50 3.40 percent Apr 2026
Residential Property Prices 2.47 2.67 Percent Dec 2025
RICS House Price Balance -35.00 -35.00 percent May 2026


United Kingdom Construction PMI
In the United Kingdom, the Markit / Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Purchasing Managers Index measures the performance of the construction sector and is derived from a survey of 170 construction companies. This is only a limited sample of PMI headline data displayed on the Customer’s service, under licence from S&P Global. Full historic PMI headline data and all other PMI sub-index data and histories are available on subscription from S&P Global. Contact economics@spglobal.com for more details.

News Stream
UK Construction Activity Falls at Fastest Pace Since 2020
The S&P Global UK Construction PMI fell to 38.2 in May 2026 from 39.7 in April, missing market expectations of 40.2 and signaling the sharpest contraction in construction activity since May 2020. Housing remained the weakest-performing segment, while commercial and civil engineering also declined amid client caution linked to inflation and geopolitical tensions. New orders fell at the fastest pace in six years as project delays, deferred investment decisions, and budget cuts weighed on demand. Consequently, employment and purchasing activity continued to decline. On the price front, input cost inflation accelerated to its highest level since June 2022, driven by higher fuel and transport costs. Supplier delivery times also lengthened at the fastest pace since December 2022 amid shipping delays and material shortages. Meanwhile, business confidence remained positive but eased to one of its weakest levels since late 2022 amid concerns over inflation, borrowing costs, and the outlook.
2026-06-04
UK Construction Falls More Than Expected
The S&P Global UK Construction PMI sank to 39.7 in April of 2026 from 45.6 in the previous month, well below market expectations of 45.7 to deepen the streak of 16 consecutive contractions. The data reflected the early impact of surges in energy prices due to the war in the Middle East, which halted exports of oil and refined products. Firms noted subdued demand, with geopolitical uncertainty driving clients to delay committing to projects and soften the announcement of new tender opportunities. Consequently, constructors lowered their staffing levels in the period. On the price front, fuel surcharges drove a majority of surveyees to report higher input prices, which rose at the sharpest rate since June 2022. The deterioration in activity was the sharpest for civil engineering activity, followed by residential construction and commercial construction.
2026-05-07
UK Construction Activity Falls Less than Expected
The S&P Global UK Construction PMI rose to 45.6 in March of 2026 from 44.5 in the previous month, stretching the streak of over one year in monthly contractions for the sector, but above the median market consensus of 43.9. The survey indicated that operating margins remained under pressure in the period due to a sharp acceleration in input cost inflation. Companies noted that the outbreak of war in the Middle East increased prices of energy and raw materials used in projects. Residential housing activity declined further with an index of 38.2, while civil engineering activity (44.8) and commercial construction (47.1) contracted at slower paces. Looking ahead, confidence continued to fall, although companies were confident in more orders from clients in the energy sector.
2026-04-08