The global BIM (Building Information Modelling) software market is expected to grow to $21 billion by 2025 on the back of the ongoing digital transformation within the construction industry, according to new research data from Cambashi.

The specialist research, consulting and training firm for engineering and industrial software markets said in its latest BIM Observatory report that it estimates around $14bn was spent on BIM software in 2021.

Cambashi added that while this indicates that the construction industry’s use of software could be described as being in the ‘Stone Age’ compared with manufacturing’s deployment of digital engineering software, evolution is noticeably driving BIM software uptake.

Petra Gartzen, lead analyst at Cambashi, said: “Remote working trends resulting from the global pandemic, as well as government initiatives and regulations are driving digital transformation in the construction industry. This in turn is accelerating a growth in demand for BIM software, enabling the construction industry to evolve from the ‘Stone Age’ to the ‘Digital Age’.

“Overall, we estimate that $14bn was spent on BIM software in 2021. Despite disruptions caused by the global pandemic, the market growth has remained positive at 9% in 2020 and 11% in 2021. We forecast the BIM software market to continue with double digit growth CAGR of 12%, reaching $21bn by 2025.”

Cambashi’s research data incorporates three categories of BIM. The first is BIM Design, which includes software used in the design stage of building and infrastructure projects; the second is BIM Construct, which covers software for collaboration on planning and building, such as data management, estimating, and costing; and the third is BIM Operate, which includes software for facilities management.

According to Cambashi’s Employment dataset, around 200 million people work in a BIM-related profession, incorporating architecture and design, civil engineering and structural engineering services – as well as building owners/operators.

Key trends covered by the research include Building Digital Twin/IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), simulation, and offsite manufacturing of prefabricated buildings.