Building the Future: Global Scaffolding Market Set for Strong Growth Through 2032

The construction scaffolding industry — a cornerstone of global building and infrastructure projects — is entering a period of steady and sustained growth. According to the latest market outlook, the global scaffolding market, valued at USD 11.55 billion in 2024, is expected to expand to USD 17.59 billion by 2032, reflecting a healthy compound annual growth rate of 6.2%.

Why Scaffolding Matters More Than Ever

Scaffolding is the invisible backbone of modern construction. Whether it is a high-rise tower, a bridge, or an industrial plant, these temporary steel and aluminium structures provide safe elevated platforms for workers, tools, and materials. As cities grow taller and infrastructure projects become more complex, demand for reliable, safe, and efficient scaffolding solutions is rising worldwide.

Beyond basic access, scaffolding today is evolving with modular lightweight aluminium systems, IoT-enabled smart monitoring, and integrated safety features such as guardrails and fall-prevention sensors. These innovations not only speed up installation but also reduce the risk of accidents, a critical factor in an industry where falls still account for more than a third of construction-related fatalities.

Drivers of Market Expansion

Several key factors underpin the forecasted growth:

• Infrastructure boom: From China’s Belt and Road Initiative to India’s smart cities programme, emerging economies are driving massive demand. Globally, construction output is expected to exceed USD 15 trillion by 2030, a trend that scaffolding suppliers are already aligning with.

• Tighter safety regulations: Regulatory bodies across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific are enforcing more rigid rules, with certified systems reducing fall-related risks by as much as 75%. Insurance providers are also incentivising contractors with premium discounts for using certified scaffolding.

• Innovation and materials: Steel remains dominant due to its strength, but demand for lightweight aluminium and composite scaffolds is rising. Fibre-reinforced polymer systems, which weigh 40% less than steel and resist corrosion, are gaining popularity rapidly, particularly in marine and coastal projects.

Challenges in the Industry

Despite its strong outlook, the industry faces hurdles. Steel and aluminium price volatility is squeezing profit margins, while a global shortage of certified scaffold erectors — with training taking up to two years — is creating project delays. The sector also contends with counterfeit products, which account for an estimated 12% of components in circulation, undermining safety and trust.

Regional Insights

The Asia-Pacific region leads the global market, accounting for nearly half of total demand. This is fuelled by rapid urbanisation and government-backed megaprojects. North America and Europe, in contrast, are focused on refurbishing ageing infrastructure and upgrading to meet modern safety standards. The Middle East continues to expand with large-scale projects tied to urban growth and energy development.

New Zealand’s Scaffolding Market: Balancing Safety, Demand, and Reform

In New Zealand, scaffolding is a vital — if often overlooked — part of the country’s booming construction and infrastructure sectors. The scaffolding segment is part of the broader Heavy Machinery and Scaffolding Rental & Hiring industry, valued at approximately NZ$862 million in 2024, with a slight decline to NZ$851 million in 2025. While this shows stability rather than rapid expansion, urban housing demand and infrastructure upgrades are fuelling consistent activity across the country.

Regulation and compliance are at the heart of the New Zealand residential scaffolding sector. All scaffolding work falls under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), which mandates notification for scaffolds over 5 metres and requires formal risk assessments and safety plans for high-risk sites such as public roads or uneven ground. Importantly, scaffolding must be designed to withstand four times its intended load, and any structure above 2 metres must include guardrails, mid-rails, and toe boards. Weekly inspections are mandatory for taller structures, alongside checks after adverse weather or modifications.

Workforce competency is managed through the SARNZ (Scaffolding, Access and Rigging Association of NZ) certification system. Scaffolders are qualified across categories from elementary to advanced suspended work, ensuring only trained professionals assemble or dismantle structures above 5 metres. However, industry leaders argue that current rules remain misaligned: older regulations dating back to 1995 do not reflect the competency categories in modern practice. This mismatch has created added costs and compliance burdens, prompting the government to begin updating regulations to align with current best practice.

At the same time, cost pressures are significant. Rising material prices and limited supplier options have prompted New Zealand to accept building products certified overseas under trusted standards — a move aimed at reducing costs and expanding market access. This could have a direct effect on scaffolding imports, accessories, and modular systems.

On the ground, scaffolding demand is strongest in Auckland and Wellington, where housing intensification and transport upgrades continue. Local firms are adopting Layher-type modular systems that are quicker to install and meet strict safety requirements. With scaffolding integral to both private and public sector projects, New Zealand’s industry is evolving towards higher safety standards while managing cost and regulatory challenges.

Industry Leaders

Globally, the market remains competitive, with giants such as Altrad Group (France), BrandSafway (U.S.), Layher GmbH (Germany), ULMA (Spain), and PERI (Germany) leading the way in innovation.

Chinese firms such as Youying Group and XMWY continue to expand regionally with cost-competitive products, though they face certification hurdles in Western markets.

In New Zealand, while international brands are present, a strong network of local scaffolding firms and rental operators drives the market. Strict national safety standards and the need for trusted compliance at every stage of a project reinforce their role.

Looking Ahead

From high-rise towers to suburban housing, scaffolding remains indispensable. Its evolution into a smarter, safer, and more efficient system mirrors the broader changes shaping global construction. For New Zealand, the road ahead involves not only meeting demand but also refining regulations, ensuring affordability, and staying current with international best practices.

With billions in projected growth worldwide and consistent local demand, the scaffolding industry may still operate behind the scenes — but it remains at the very centre of how both New Zealand and the world continue to build.