Architectural services, 2024

Released: 2026-01-06

Architectural services continue to grow in 2024, albeit at a slower pace

The operating revenue for the architectural services and landscape architectural services industries—which are responsible for planning and designing buildings and land developments—grew 5.7% in 2024 to reach $7.7 billion. This marks a return to the average growth rate seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, after three years of above-average expansion.

Atlantic Canada's revenue share rose to 3.1% in 2024, driven by strong housing starts (+21.6%), while Ontario's share fell to 44.1% because of subdued housing starts (-17.2%).

In terms of total sales by type of service, the share of multi-family dwellings increased to 18.4% in 2024, continuing a steady rise that began in 2020, while the share of single-family units declined to 4.8%, down from 6.1% in 2021.

In non-residential projects, the share of health care institutions and the share of educational institutions both expanded to 11.0% in 2024. Conversely, the share of office buildings dropped to 7.4%, and that of retail and restaurant projects fell to 4.1%, continuing a downward trend observed since 2019. These patterns underscore a transition toward higher-density housing and institutional development, alongside reduced demand for traditional commercial spaces.

Operating expenses for architectural services increased 5.9% to $6.4 billion in 2024, resulting in a profit margin of 16.2%. The profit margin reached its lowest level since 2016 and continued a downward trend that began in 2021. Salaries, wages, commissions and benefits rose 4.9% year over year and remained the largest expense category in 2024, accounting for almost half (49.6%) of total costs.

Sales to businesses have continued to grow since the onset of the pandemic, reaching 54.9% of total sales in 2024, representing their highest share since 2018. The remaining sales were distributed among governments, non-profit organizations and public institutions (32.3%), individuals and households (10.5%) and customers outside Canada (2.3%).

Outlook for 2025

Early indicators for the first half of 2025 point to improved industry performance.

Investment in residential and non-residential construction increased in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. Private-sector spending is gradually recovering as borrowing costs ease. As of September 2025, housing starts were up 5.1% year over year, signalling a rebound in the housing market.

Comprehensive financial statistics for the architectural services and landscape architectural services industries for the 2025 reference year will be released in early 2027.

Contact information

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).