Euro area production in construction up by 0.3%

In July 2013 compared with June 2013, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector rose by 0.3% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.7% in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In June 2013, production in construction rose by 0.9% and 0.6% respectively.

In July 2013 compared with July 2012, production in construction decreased by 1.2% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for July 2013, production in construction rose in nine, fell in four and remained stable in the Netherlands. The largest increases were registered in Romania (+8.6%), Portugal (+5.1%), Poland (+5.0%) and the Czech Republic (+4.9%). Decreases were observed in Sweden (-4.1%), Spain and Hungary (both -1.6%) and Slovenia (-0.5%).

Building construction increased by 1.1% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU28, after +0.4% and +0.2% respectively in June 2013. Civil engineering fell by 0.2% in the euro area, but rose by 0.5% in the EU28, after +1.0% and +1.2% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for July 2013, production in construction fell in eight and rose in six. The largest decreases were registered in Portugal (-16.3%), Bulgaria (-6.9%), Slovakia (-6.8%) and Poland (-6.4%), and the highest increases in Romania (+14.2%), Spain (+2.9%), Hungary and the United Kingdom (both +2.0%).

Building construction decreased by 1.0% in both the euro area and the EU28, after -2.6% and -2.3% respectively in June 2013. Civil engineering fell by 2.0% in the euro area and by 2.3% in the EU28, after -3.3% and -3.8% respectively in the previous month.