Northern Ireland Quarterly Construction Bulletin
 Reference period: Quarter 1 (January to March) 2026
  Theme: Economy
  Frequency: Quarterly
  Geographical area: Northern Ireland
  Release Date: 25 June 2026

Introduction

The Construction Output Statistics published in this bulletin and the accompanying tables provide a general measure of the quarterly and annual changes in the volume and value of construction output in Northern Ireland for Quarter 1 2026 (January to March).

Output estimates are calculated from the Quarterly Construction Enquiry (QCE) aspect of the Quarterly Business Survey (QBS). They exclude work carried out by Northern Ireland Construction firms in other parts of the UK or elsewhere. All figures are adjusted for seasonality where a seasonal variation has been found to exist.

Estimates of construction output are converted into indices which are a convenient way of expressing time series, making it easier to see changes in the series. Each series is expressed in relative terms, with the average turnover in 2023 set as the base value of 100. All other turnover values are then measured in relation to this base.

Key Points

  • In Quarter 1 2026 the total volume of construction output decreased by 1.0% over the quarter, increased by 10.1% over the year and by 4.3% on a rolling four quarters basis.
  • In Quarter 1 2026, quarterly decreases were seen in both New Work (1.1%) and Repair and Maintenance (2.0%).
  • In Quarter 1 2026, there were decreases in the Infrastructure (8.6%) and Other Work (2.7%) subsectors. However, the Housing subsector increased by 7.6%, compared to the previous quarter.


Figure 1: Changes in construction output by sector, Q1 2026

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Overall Construction

Expand for definition of construction activity

Construction activity measured by the Quarterly Construction Enquiry (QCE) includes general construction and demolition work, construction and repair of buildings, civil engineering, installation of fixtures and fittings and any other building completion work.

In the first quarter of 2026, the volume of construction output:

decreased by
↓ 1.0%
over the quarter
increased by
↑ 10.1%
over the year
increased by
↑ 4.3%
on a rolling four quarter basis


Figure 2: Volume of Construction Output in NI (index), Q1 2011 to Q1 2026

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The volume of construction output has experienced a general upward trend from Quarter 3 2022, reaching a 15 year high in Quarter 4 2025. Despite a slight downturn in the first quarter of 2026 the series remains high, driven by increases in the New Work series from Quarter 2 2025 to Quarter 4 2025.

In the first quarter of 2026, construction output is 81.5% above the series low seen in Quarter 2 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic) and 23.0% above the pre-pandemic level (Quarter 4 2019).

New Work

Expand for definition of New Work

New Work is any new construction activity for example, factory and office extensions, major re-construction, major alterations, site preparation and demolition.

In the first quarter of 2026, the volume of New Work output:

decreased by
↓ 1.1%
over the quarter
increased by
↑ 18.6%
over the year
increased by
↑ 10.3%
on a rolling four quarter basis


Figure 3: Volume of New Work Output in NI (index), Q1 2011 to Q1 2026

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Aside from the decline and subsequent recovery in 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic), the volume of New Work output experienced a relatively stable trend from Quarter 4 2016 to Quarter 1 2025.

In Quarter 1 2026, New Work has seen a quarter of decline but remains historically high following a period of growth from Quarter 2 2025, which saw the series reach a 15 year peak in Quarter 4 2025.

Repair and Maintenance

Expand for definition of Repair and Maintenance

Repair and Maintenance is all on-site work not defined as new construction, for example, housing conversions, extensions and improvements.

In the first quarter of 2026, the volume of Repair and Maintenance output:

decreased by
↓ 2.0%
over the quarter
decreased by
↓ 2.5%
over the year
decreased by
↓ 5.0%
on a rolling four quarter basis


Figure 4: Volume of Repair and Maintenance in NI (index), Q1 2011 to Q1 2026

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Repair and Maintenance experienced an upward trend from Quarter 2 2022 onwards, reaching a series high in the third quarter of 2024. From Quarter 3 2024 to Quarter 1 2026, the series has seen a period of decline with four quarterly decreases out of the six most recent quarters.

In the first quarter of 2026, Repair and Maintenance is 89.6% above the 15 year low experienced in Quarter 2 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic) and 8.3% below the series high seen in Quarter 3 2024.

Housing

Expand for definition of Housing

Housing Output is defined as all public and private sector construction activity (New Work and Repair & Maintenance) associated with Housing.

In the first quarter of 2026, the volume of Housing output:

increased by
↑ 7.6%
over the quarter
increased by
↑ 27.4%
over the year
increased by
↑ 19.3%
on a rolling four quarter basis


Figure 5: Volume of Housing Output in NI (index), Q1 2011 to Q1 2026

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The volume of Housing output has experienced an upward trend from Quarter 4 2023, reaching a 15 year high in Quarter 1 2026. Housing is currently 104.4% above the series low (during the COVID-19 pandemic).

Infrastructure

Expand for definition of Infrastructure

Infrastructure Output is defined as all public and private sector construction activity (New Work and Repair & Maintenance) associated with roads, bridges, car parks, footpaths, water, sewage, electricity, gas, communications, air transport, railways, harbours and waterways

In the first quarter of 2026, the volume of Infrastructure output:

decreased by
↓ 8.6%
over the quarter
increased by
↑ 3.9%
over the year
decreased by
↓ 2.0%
on a rolling four quarter basis


Figure 6: Volume of Infrastructure Output in NI (index), Q1 2011 to Q1 2026

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In Quarter 1 2026, the volume of Infrastructure output saw the first quarter of decline following a period of growth in the last three quarters of 2025.

In the first Quarter of 2026, Infrastructure is 60.4% above the 15 year low seen in Quarter 3 2014.

Other Work

Expand for definition of Other Work

Other Work Output is defined as all public and private sector construction activity (New Work and Repair & Maintenance) associated with the following: Industrial, for example, factories and warehouses or Non-industrial, for example, schools, health centres and banks.

In the first quarter of 2026, the volume of Other Work output:

decreased by
↓ 2.7%
over the quarter
increased by
↑ 0.7%
over the year
decreased by
↓ 3.5%
on a rolling four quarter basis


Figure 7: Volume of Other Work Output in NI (index), Q1 2011 to Q1 2026

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Aside from a brief period of decline from Quarter 4 2024 to Quarter 3 2025, there has been a general upward trend in the volume of Other Work from Quarter 3 2021 onwards, reaching a 15 year high in Quarter 4 2025.

In the first quarter of 2026, Other Work is 76.6% above the series low seen in Quarter 2 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic).

Accredited Official Statistics

Accredited official statistics are official statistics that have been independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) and confirmed to comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics.Producers of accredited official statistics are legally required to ensure they maintain compliance with the Code. Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.

These accredited official statistics were independently reviewed by the OSR in March 2012 in the Assessment of Statistics on Output in the Construction Industry in Northern Ireland, with accreditation confirmed in January 2013. They comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice and should be labelled ‘accredited official statistics’.

Our statistical practice is regulated by OSR. It sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to. You are welcome to contact us directly with any comments about how we meet these standards. Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk or via the OSR website.

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Further Information

Data published within this bulletin is available to download from the Construction Output Statistics webpage or the NISRA Data Portal.

Detailed background information documents and methodology information have also been published on the Construction Output Statistics Methodology webpage. This includes information on revisions to the series.

Seasonal adjustment review

Following the seasonal adjustment review conducted in May 2026, some of the models used to seasonally adjust the different time series have been refined. These annual reviews ensure that the models take account of the most recent figures.

Contact Details

Published by: Economic and Labour Market Statistics Branch

Lead Statistician: Aryan Towfighi

Email:

Accessibility contact

Please contact Dissemination Branch for assistance with accessibility requirements or alternative formats. Contact details are:

Email:

Telephone: +44 (0)300 200 7836

Dissemination Branch
NISRA
Colby House
Stranmillis Court
BELFAST
BT9 5RR

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