Production in the EU construction sector down by 0.6%

In March 2014, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector fell by 0.6% in the euro area (EA18) and by 0.5% in the EU28 compared with February 2014, according to estimates from Eurostat. In February 2014, production in construction rose by 0.4% in the euro area and 0.5% in the EU28. Furthermore, production in construction increased by 5.2% y/y in the euro area and by 5.3% y/y in the EU28 in March 2014 compared with March 2013.

The decrease of 0.6% in the euro area in March 2014, compared with February 2014, was attributed to building construction falling by 0.7% and civil engineering by 0.6%. In the EU28, the decrease of 0.5% is due to building construction falling by 0.6% and civil engineering by 0.3%. The largest decreases in production in construction were seen in Portugal (-3%), the Netherlands (-2.6%) and Germany (-2.2%), and the highest increases were observed in Romania (+10.3%), Slovenia (+8.9%) and Italy (+1.9%).

The increase of 5.2% y/y in the euro area in March 2014, compared with March 2013, can be attributed to building construction rising by 5% and civil engineering by 6.3%. In the EU28, the increase of 5.3% y/y is due to building construction rising by 5.4% and civil engineering by 4.3%. The highest increases in production in construction were recorded in Slovenia (+44.9%), Hungary (+34.1%), Spain (+19.1%) and Poland (+18.4%), and the largest decreases in Portugal (-13.8%), Sweden (-2.8%) and Italy (-1.4%).

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/21052014/production_in_the_eu_construction_sector_down_by_0-6_230/