ABSTRACT
If the role of the construction sector in the overall economy of a country is to be fully understood, then it must be placed in perspective. Construction is an industry of major strategic importance and it is essential that the statistics produced for the industry are valid, reliable and comprehensive in their coverage. There has long been concern, though, that data on the construction industry are not as useful as for other sectors of the economy (Bon, 1990; Ruddock, 2000, 2003; Briscoe, 2006). A basic question must, therefore, be: How can construction statistics best be interpreted in order to capture the true scope of the industry?
