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Labour rates (*/hour)
ÌýBasic rate*All-in rate**
Country Unskilled Semi-skilled SkilledUnskilled Semi-skilledSkilled
BelgiumÌýÌýÌý28.10 29.50 34.80
Cyprus10.23 11.00 12.53 13.71 14.56 16.28
Czech Republic1.94 3.55 5.175.818.0711.62
Finland9.20 12.30 14.20 15.90 21.20 24.60
France9.80 11.90 13.70 18.60 22.90 26.10
Greece4.67 5.33 7.33 9.38 10.04 12.82
Hungary2.00 2.83 4.60 5.05 7.88 11.32
Ireland6.65 13.16 15.90 11.95 23.66 28.68
Italy13.00 15.00 17.00 24.90 27.20 28.90
Norway11.71 17.88 22.19 30.83 38.84 42.54
Poland2.13 2.54 3.06 4.15 4.95 5.95
Romania3.65 4.18 5.22 4.49 5.22 6.58
Slovakia2.04 2.54 4.20 4.20 5.09 7.63
Spain19.00 20.00 23.00 21.50 22.50 26.00
Sweden12.33 13.45 15.70 27.80 30.27 35.31
United Kingdom8.83 10.09 11.74 12.06 13.77 16.03
Argentina0.64 0.77 1.03 2.13 2.28 2.46
Australia †11.36 11.85 12.49 24.33 24.91 26.02
China0.37 0.60 0.88 0.46 0.82 1.19
Hong Kong6.98 Ìý11.25 8.05 Ìý12.90
India0.23 0.24 0.27 0.34 0.36 0.39
Indonesia0.36 0.43 0.52 0.50 0.59 0.71
Israel5.18 5.79 7.43 6.48 7.25 9.50
Japan12.70 15.49 20.12 19.09 23.27 30.17
KenyaÌýÌý0.22 ÌýÌý0.37
Malaysia8.53 10.52 19.84 ÌýÌýÌý
New Zealand9.73 15.14 15.14 14.05 20.54 20.54
Philippines0.50 0.59 0.67 0.54 0.63 0.90
Qatar1.10 1.19 1.31 1.35 1.57 1.78
Saudi Arabia1.01 1.21 2.01 1.81 2.41 3.02
Singapore1.66 2.21 2.76 2.72 2.81 3.00
South Africa1.03 1.94 3.88 1.45 2.71 5.43
South Korea40.72 41.48 48.27 41.48 48.27 55.81
Sultanate of Oman0.73 1.04 1.53 1.51 1.86 2.31
Thailand0.44 0.76 1.09 0.54 0.86 1.19
United Arab Emirates1.11 1.21 1.32 1.38 1.59 1.80
Vietnam1.43 2.39 3.58 2.15 3.34 4.30
USA §33.77 42.77 51.03 28.3935.8845.59
British Virgin Islands6.77 9.02 12.78 9.77 15.04 18.80
* Basic labour rate is the amount paid to a site operative, based upon figures promulgated by the national wage fixing body of each country. In many cases employers may be paying above or below the basic rate.
** All-in rate is the gross hourly cost of employing the site operative, based upon the standard working week for the country, including items such as insurances, statutory contributions and taxes. The all-in labour rate for the Middle East includes the cost of importing labour and for food and accommodation.
† Australia figures are an average for Melbourne and Sydney
§ USA figures are for an average for 10 cities: Boston, Denver, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle.
ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø costs: Offices and industrial (€/³¾2)
ÌýCity-centre heated officesCity-centre air-conditioned officeFactories, warehouse, industrial Out-of-town business park
Ìý€/³¾2€/³¾2floors*€/³¾2€/³¾2floors€/³¾2€/³¾2floors€/³¾2€/³¾2floors
Country low high(typical) low high(typical)low high(typical) low high(typical)
Belgium1,3502,050Ìý1,8002,400Ìý360620Ìý1,0301,550Ìý
Cyprus8481,542Ìý9421,714Ìý8571,542Ìý8571,714Ìý
Czech Republic67887267621,246638190416629206
Finland1,3001,64051,4301,740581099011,2001,4302
France1,6002,100Ìý2,2002,800Ìý480750Ìý1,1501,600Ìý
Greece1,0002,500Ìý1,0002,500Ìý8001,500Ìý1,2002,000Ìý
Hungary5296525692875834642815096724
Ireland1,8002,00051,9502,200565080011,5001,600Ìý
Italy1,0201,32081,2202,02086001,40011,6502,4501
Netherlands1,1401,38361,3911,850856787211,2671,4741
Norway1,2332,21961,3562,34367401,72611,4802,3433
Poland569924Ìý7351,185Ìý355521ÌýN/AN/AÌý
Romania4185746574783726141814186275
Slovakia4587125585890833158515096874
SpainN/AN/AÌý9901,51010480840Ìý9001,4004
Sweden1,1211,45751,5701,90658971,57018971,5704
United Kingdom1,3431,60071,9292,914837964311,4711,9144
ArgentinaN/AN/AÌý30844920N/AN/A1N/AN/AÌý
Australia †ÌýÌýÌý1,2551,7841728841518011,0143
China501729254837112525544725748393
Hong KongN/AN/AÌý9511,28045456611151,1931,5234
IndiaN/AN/AÌý151352Ìý84185Ìý252419Ìý
IndonesiaN/AN/AÌý230360Ìý168201Ìý168209Ìý
IsraelN/AN/AÌý553636716419015536366
JapanN/AN/AÌý1,4462,2251544899111,2261,76210
Kenya24135310334418101762231N/AN/A4
MalaysiaN/AN/AÌý218377Ìý129198ÌýN/AN/AÌý
New ZealandN/AN/AÌý1,2971,514Ìý216324Ìý9191,243Ìý
PhilippinesN/AN/AÌý362470Ìý161215Ìý268336Ìý
QatarN/AN/AÌý671930243314651N/AN/A5
Saudi ArabiaN/AN/AÌý6841,16774837851N/AN/AÌý
SingaporeN/AN/AÌý7799492529542916547833
South AfricaN/AN/AÌý439775102333881N/AN/A2
South Korea7471,222258301,3572537767936039807
Sultanate of OmanN/AN/AÌý431745Ìý225569Ìý412627Ìý
ThailandN/AN/AÌý497631Ìý162229ÌýN/AN/AÌý
United Arab EmiratesN/AN/AÌý5346062429841116166375
VietnamN/AN/AÌý597741Ìý234296Ìý502588Ìý
USA §7531,130Ìý1,1991,853Ìý436810Ìý1,2921,938Ìý
British Virgin IslandsN/AN/AÌý1,2031,54135646771N/AN/AÌý
* Typical number of storeys has only been provided where identified by local offices
† Australia figures are an average for Melbourne and Sydney
§ USA figures are for an average for 11 cities: Boston, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle
Exchange rates current at 29 November 2004 as published in the Financial Times.
ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø costs: Residential and retail (€/³¾2)
ÌýHigh-rise apartmentsShopping centreHigh-quality capital city hotel ** Provinical/suburban hotel **
Ìý€/³¾2€/³¾2floors*€/³¾2€/³¾2floors*€/³¾2€/³¾2floors*€/³¾2€/³¾2floors*
Country low high(typical) low high(typical)low high(typical) low high(typical)
Belgium1,1401,650ÌýÌýÌýÌý1,8502,600Ìý1,1301,550Ìý
Cyprus8571,371Ìý7711,371Ìý1,7142,228Ìý9421,285Ìý
Czech Republic6138401071098521,1561,80887751,0013
Finland1,2501,82049901,20021,7401,93051,5101,7403
France1,3001,850ÌýÌýÌýÌý1,9502,700Ìý1,2001,6508
Greece1,0002,000Ìý9002,000Ìý2,0003,000Ìý1,2001,700Ìý
Hungary529733861189629771,42575507944
Ireland1,4501,70052,0502,60032,4003,00051,8502,3004
Italy1,2202,24041,7802,84011,7502,65041,1001,7502
Netherlands7231,152109671,31411,7102,04381,5901,6924
Norway1,6032,21949861,85022,5893,20661,4801,973Ìý
Poland533948Ìý521865Ìý9481,303Ìý711995Ìý
Romania470627841862757311,044124186275
Slovakia382687850963627631,06875607636
Spain1,1001,700127501,67521,4502,200151,0501,78010
Sweden8971,34571,6822,01841,6822,35451,2331,9063
United Kingdom1,4002,42981,2291,92922,2292,786101,6572,1144
Argentina26941015N/AN/AÌý385500102633214
Australia †1,3111,643306521,042Ìý1,5512,113Ìý1,2431,6254
China2643653554783948391,0762560282015
Hong Kong8441,077451,1541,30041,0961,48425N/AN/AÌý
India140321Ìý101235Ìý637990Ìý201319Ìý
Indonesia260356Ìý168201Ìý352461Ìý277335Ìý
Israel4495351660465628291,123157087603
Japan1,4461,784205801,44652,4453,524201,9972,44510
KenyaN/AN/A6251306334342762322975
Malaysia139337Ìý188615Ìý417714Ìý317714Ìý
New Zealand1,0271,189Ìý514865Ìý1,4051,622Ìý1,0811,297Ìý
Philippines282470Ìý215416Ìý362604Ìý295362Ìý
Qatar671930257441,08541,1471,353359191,14722
Saudi Arabia7751,16776841,16721,1771,50979461,3084
Singapore59971425599737Ìý1,1341,521Ìý9821,097Ìý
South Africa 4918406439620258184064917752
South Korea6039352560394399801,885248301,35712
Sultanate of Oman510931Ìý5201,137Ìý6181,235Ìý4121,078Ìý
Thailand459573Ìý334459Ìý669803Ìý363478Ìý
United Arab Emirates5857392563788841,1401,366359141,14022
Vietnam530659Ìý435530Ìý793989Ìý626769Ìý
USA § 7562,395Ìý8091,426Ìý1,4302,190Ìý9631,408Ìý
British Virgin Islands7891,1653N/AN/AÌý1,5041,95541,3911,6924
* Typical number of storeys has only been provided where identified by local offices
** Excludes furniture, fittings and equipment
† Australia figures are an average for Melbourne and Sydney
§ USA figures are for an average for 11 cities: Boston, Denver, Fort Launderdale, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle
ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø material supply prices *
ÌýSteel rebar Structural OrdinaryConcrete Aggregate SandPlasterCarcassing Common Concrete Glass
Country€/³Ù´Ç²Ô²Ô±ð€/³Ù´Ç²Ô²Ô±ð€/³Ù´Ç²Ô²Ô±ð€/³¾3€/³Ù´Ç²Ô²Ô±ð€/³Ù´Ç²Ô²Ô±ð€/³Ù´Ç²Ô²Ô±ð€/³¾3€/1000€/³¾2€/³¾2
BelgiumÌýÌýÌýÌý15 15 216 379 ÌýÌý26
Cyprus471 942 62 50 9 9 120 343 343 9 12
Czech Republic613 969 77 52 14 13 56 194 291 13 12
Finland718 1,352 107 63 10 10 344 209 Ìý10 36
France1,050 1,240 162 105 48 48 264 369 407 4 33
Greece500 950 50 55 10 10 110 ÌýÌýÌý15
HungaryÌýÌý46 76 1 1 Ìý265 163 13 31
Ireland520 1,150 130 68 8 11 Ìý250 195 48 42
Italy490 560 107 78 14 15 135 160 140 11 31
Norway801 2,343 185 92 13 13 284 333 740 27 40
Poland438 592 66 45 16 7 142 213 133 9 12
Romania543 1,044 183 63 26 31 198 104 178 10 31
Slovakia763 1,018 102 69 10 17 81 221 Ìý10 60
Spain880 1,050 90 70 14 15 63 154 99 14 37
Sweden1,009 1,121 112 135 11 20 370 ÌýÌý17 28
United Kingdom740 1,021 154 94 21 24 266 353 284 11 46
Argentina577 Ìý62 43 13 5 84 Ìý47 7 17
Australia †832833185882421835803301828
China328 413 32 27 5 5 40 197 35 4 3
Hong Kong388 475 48 37 4 2 56 146 55 4 8
India453 503 49 42 6 4 ÌýÌý27 3 8
Indonesia398 545 51 33 10 8 19 285 23 12 7
Israel570 1,295 66 36 9 8 138 ÌýÌý4 12
Japan448 808 62 84 16 19 Ìý389 Ìý10 14
Kenya510 835 93 51 9 8 ÌýÌýÌý5 11
Malaysia333 575 40 24 6 10 79 105 52 2 10
New Zealand946 676 127 95 16 22 Ìý324 389 14 51
Philippines389 403 50 50 10 7 Ìý175 Ìý2 47
Qatar403 1,388 75 60 10 10 Ìý465 Ìý5 75
Saudi Arabia394 704 62 38 6 4 72 161 n/a3 30
Singapore369 327 36 21 6 5 Ìý34 83 4 11
South Africa775 1,486 103 71 14 11 Ìý362 172 5 39
South Korea365 450 48 38 10 9 55 82 32 8 7
Sultanate of Oman400 1,196 53 27 3 5 45 225 Ìý4 10
Thailand363 535 48 50 3 3 111 Ìý14 6 7
United Arab Emirates390 1,335 70 56 7 9 Ìý462 Ìý4 67
Vietnam263 301 47 32 7 5 Ìý29 26 3 5
USA § 7621,3548470912ÌýÌý3221244
British Virgin Islands677 2,932 135 150 53 53 Ìý564 Ìý13 71
* All rates include delivery to site and local discounts, but exclude VAT and local taxes
† Australia figures are an average for Melbourne and Sydney
§ USA figures are for an average for nine cities: Boston, Denver, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle
Inflation rates and forecasts
ÌýRetail price inflation (%)ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø tender price inflation (%)
Country1998199920002001200220032004*2005*2006*1998199920002001200220032004*2005*2006*
Belgium0.71.92.53.11.81.43.03.1ÌýÌý2.24.35.61.32.45.44.2Ìý
CyprusÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý8.46.012.210.95.2ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Czech Republic9.92.12.96.73.14.02.81.3Ìý8.42.13.02.0Ìý2.22.72.2Ìý
Denmark3.45.51.32.32.0ÌýÌýÌýÌý3.41.33.23.85.45.7ÌýÌýÌý
Finland2.31.42.92.91.21.64.02.0Ìý15.49.24.9–3.71.64.50.81.3Ìý
France2.42.71.71.54.84.44.23.82.0–0.23.03.32.73.43.26.23.02.2
GERMANY1.00.71.92.41.4ÌýÌýÌýÌý0.02.52.50.20.4ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Hungary14.510.59.57.56.05.07.06.0Ìý11.510.09.57.05.05.06.06.0Ìý
Ireland3.11.65.64.94.63.53.55.0Ìý3.311.812.64.7–5.0–0.65.3ÌýÌý
Italy1.70.82.51.68.05.24.92.7Ìý2.01.02.92.84.51.75.14.9Ìý
Netherlands1.72.33.64.212.51.72.2ÌýÌý3.33.24.55.42.31.13.4ÌýÌý
Norway2.22.62.71.82.50.41.22.12.03.92.74.13.73.12.03.22.42.3
Poland10.68.510.34.02.10.75.0ÌýÌý7.08.63.72.61.01.05.0ÌýÌý
RomaniaÌý10.1ÌýÌýÌýÌý9.07.05.018.542.624.239.934.318.69.07.05.0
Slovakia16.25.13.86.06.06.65.3ÌýÌý12.15.23.06.05.02.910.2ÌýÌý
Spain2.91.95.67.05.70.8ÌýÌýÌý2.91.96.56.15.71.6ÌýÌýÌý
Sweden1.0Ìý1.02.91.91.93.70.91.83.01.04.84.53.52.56.60.80.8
SWITZERLAND2.11.71.71.10.90.80.9Ìý0.90.00.51.52.00.01.11.9Ìý1.9
United Kingdom3.41.53.01.42.91.83.22.6Ìý3.52.53.53.03.53.04.04.0Ìý
Argentina0.7–1.8–0.7–1.541.23.67.09.2Ìý0.10.1–1.7–0.867.919.825.012.0Ìý
AUSTRALIA0.81.23.03.03.03.02.53.03.07.26.10.03.53.34.07.04.94.2
China–1.5–1.3ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý–1.2–0.20.60.00.50.50.22.0Ìý
Hong Kong–1.9–3.9–2.0–3.1–3.2–2.20.02.2Ìý–7.6–4.5–11.4–8.6–8.22.65.04.8Ìý
India15.03.14.0ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý5.83.56.34.33.2ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Indonesia74.41.85.9ÌýÌý10.06.8ÌýÌý48.513.812.1ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Israel8.61.30.01.45.4–1.91.53.62.55.82.52.01.01.62.47.02.92.0
Japan–3.5–2.6–1.0–1.8–0.4–4.311.6ÌýÌý–2.2–1.5–1.4–1.1–1.33.50.8ÌýÌý
KenyaÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý13.612.07.16.73.16.12.911.1Ìý
MalaysiaÌýÌý1.5ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý0.44.01.6–1.53.82.69.1ÌýÌý
New Zealand2.12.42.4ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý–0.40.60.92.11.61.114.43.51.4
Saudi Arabia0.51.51.91.90.92.85.41.71.7ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Singapore–1.40.91.7ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý–7.0–10.8–1.20.02.46.03.4ÌýÌý
South Africa4.1ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý7.211.86.54.26.62.68.05.34.1
South KoreaÌý29.912.024.112.2–1.3ÌýÌýÌý18.0–5.10.02.72.66.8ÌýÌýÌý
Thailand5.8Ìý2.3ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý5.9–14.67.310.6–3.47.17.3ÌýÌý
United Arab Emirates8.30.0–3.80.00.0ÌýÌýÌýÌý8.30.10.01.00.0ÌýÌýÌýÌý
USA § 4.52.32.61.62.2ÌýÌýÌýÌý6.64.94.33.21.62.412.09.17.1
* 2004 to 2006 figures are forecasts.
§ US building tender price inflation figures are an average for nine cities: Boston, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle