Eurostat has released estimated production data for the construction sector in the euro area and in the EU28 in November 2013. Production levels were 1.7% and 1.6% lower than the corresponding month in 2012 in the euro area and EU28, respectively. Compared to October 2013, first estimates indicate a fall of 1.1% in the euro area and 0.3% in the EU28. Building construction declined by 1.1% m/m and 1.4% y/y in the euro area in November 2013, and was down 1.4% both m/m and y/y in the EU28.
When compared to November 2012, the EU Member States that experienced the biggest declines in production were Portugal at 13%, Italy at 10.8% and the Czech Republic at 8.3%. The three countries that registered the highest y/y growth were Slovenia, Hungary and Sweden at 30.7%, 18.9% and 5.9%, respectively.
When comparing the figures month-on-month with October 2013, the Czech Republic, Romania and the UK saw production levels fall 5.6%, 4.9% and 4%, respectively. Slovenia, Poland and Hungary experienced the greatest m/m improvement.
Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham