Production in construction down by 2.3% in euro area

In January 2017 compared with December 2016, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector decreased by 2.3% in the euro area (EA19) and by 1.5% in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In December 2016, production in construction fell by 0.6% in the euro area, while it grew by 0.2% in the EU28.

In January 2017 compared with January 2016, production in construction decreased by 6.2% in the euro area and by 3.3% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison by construction sector and by Member State The decrease of 2.3% in production in construction in the euro area in January 2017, compared with December 2016, is due to civil engineering falling by 7.7% and building construction by 1.4%. In the EU28, the decrease of 1.5% is due to civil engineering falling by 5.2% and building construction by 0.7%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in production in construction were recorded in Slovenia (-12.3%), Belgium (-4.6%), Spain (-3.8%) and France (-3.5%), while the highest increases were observed in Romania (+5.1%), Hungary (+4.6%) and Slovakia (+3.3%).

Annual comparison by construction sector and by Member State The decrease of 6.2% in production in construction in the euro area in January 2017, compared with January 2016, is due to civil engineering falling by 8.2% and building construction by 5.9%. In the EU28, the decrease of 3.3% is due to civil engineering falling by 5.7% and building construction by 2.8%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in production in construction were recorded in Belgium (-18.0%), Slovakia (-17.2%), Spain (-13.1%) and Bulgaria (-10.3%), while the highest increases were observed in Hungary (+18.3%) and Sweden (+10.0%).