But consultant warns viability issues still making it tough for jobs to get out of the ground

RLB has said that infrastructure and data centre development is driving worldwide construction markets, according to its latest annual global survey.

It said that 53% and 33% of RLB’s global offices are reporting peak activity for these sectors respectively.

The firm has 115 offices around the globe and in its report the firm said: “In 2025, the data centres and infrastructure sectors delivered the strongest momentum, recording the largest uplift in peak activity since the previous report, while office, retail and residential saw the sharpest pullback, remaining concentrated in the trough zone.

data phoenix

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A data centre being built in Phoenix, Arizona. RLB said a third of its offices are reporting peak activity in the sector

“Infrastructure remains a stand-out peak performer globally, with more than 52% of regions reporting peak-level activity – a five-point rise on last year. The data centres sector also continued its strong trajectory, despite a modest softening in mid-zone activity.”

The firm said that getting projects out of the ground was an issue facing many markets across the globe.

Paul Beeston, head of industry and service insight for RLB in the UK, said: “Although tender price inflation is moderating in many markets, the absolute cost base and challenges that many clients are facing on the value side of appraisals means that even softer tender price forecasts are not directly translating to an improved outlook for projects. Generally, project teams are working harder to get viability to stack up.”

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