< U.S.A.
Construction market overview
Renewed economic uncertainty was the reason for sub-par growth through most of 2011. For the year, U.S. real GDP grew at an estimated rate of 1.7%.
U.S. construction spending declined to $790 billion in 2011, marking the fifth consecutive year of decline. Of specific note, infrastructure spending, having benefited from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds in 2009 and 2010, declined 7% in 2011.
Overall cement consumption stagnated at the depressed level of approximately 72 million tons - nearly 57 million tons lower than the 2005 cyclical peak. Utilization rates are estimated to have remained at just 60% in 2011.