Ghana's building costs rise by 5.1% in September 2026, driven by equipment inflation
The Prime Building Cost Index (PBCI) increased to 5.1% in September 2026 from 4.6% in August 2026
In Brief
- •The Prime Building Cost Index (PBCI) increased to 5.1% in September 2026 from 4.6% in August 2026
- •Plant and equipment costs rose 19.1% year-on-year, the main pressure point
- •Material costs increased 6.5% year-on-year, while labour costs decreased 3.2%
- •Reinforcement materials saw the highest inflation at 29.0%, while steel prices fell 8.8%
- •The PBCI tracks prices of construction inputs like materials, labour, and equipment
Why It Matters
The increase in building costs in Ghana reflects broader inflationary pressures in the construction sector. This data is crucial for investors, developers, contractors, and policymakers to adjust contracts, bids, and budgets. The inflation trends also provide insights into the economic health of the building sector and its contribution to Ghana's overall economic growth.
Key Details
- Year-on-year inflation rate
- 5.1%
- Plant and equipment inflation
- 19.1%
- Material inflation
- 6.5%
- Labour inflation
- -3.2%
- Highest inflation sub-group
- Reinforcement (29.0%)
- Lowest inflation sub-group
- Steel (-8.8%)
Context & Background
The Prime Building Cost Index (PBCI) is used by key stakeholders to monitor inflation trends in the building sector. It tracks the prices of key construction inputs such as building materials, labour, and equipment over time, indexed to the 2023 base year.
Original Reporting & Sources
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