The AIB Ireland Construction PMI rose to 53.0 in July 2026 from 45.4 in June, indicating a solid rebound in construction activity after the sharp contraction seen a month earlier. The recovery was broad-based, with all three sectors expanding for the first time in 15 months. Commercial construction led the upturn, residential activity returned to growth after three consecutive months of contraction, and civil engineering recorded its first expansion since April 2025.
New orders increased following a marked decline in June, though the improvement was modest amid a limited number of tender opportunities. Employment rose for the ninth month in a row and at a faster pace, and firms also stepped up their use of subcontractors.
Input cost inflation eased to a five-month low but remained elevated, with costs continuing to rise rapidly. Supply-chain disruptions persisted, largely reflecting ongoing international shipping difficulties. Business confidence strengthened for a third consecutive month, reaching its highest level in four months.
