Materials used for global tall buildings 2019

The number of tall buildings completed in 2018 was one of the highest in history, reaching 143 completions, but dropped in 2019 to 126. Of these completions, 62.9 percent were constructed largely from concrete, whereas only one building in San Francisco was completed using steel as the main material. The use of concrete increased in comparison to the previous year. There are several reasons that concrete is so commonplace in these buildings, including low costs, the ubiquity of the material, and its relative simplicity in construction processes. However, like other commodities, concrete is subject to supply chain shocks and may not always play a dominant role in the construction of skyscrapers.

Skyscrapers in Asia

In 2018, Asia completed more tall buildings than all other regions combined, reaching 109 completions. China was one of the most prolific building construction countries in the world, with Shenzhen, completing over 3,500 meters in tall building construction. Although, the construction industry often mirrors the economic development of a country, one must be aware of the lagging timeframe that the completion of a skyscraper occupies. Tall buildings require years to plan, design, and construct and thus, this number is not necessarily a good economic indicator for the present time.