Production in construction down by 2.2% in euro area

In January 2018 compared with December 2017, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector decreased by 2.2% in the euro area (EA19) and by 2.1% in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In December 2017, production in construction grew by 0.7% in the euro area and by 1.0% in the EU28.

In January 2018 compared with January 2017, production in construction increased by 3.7% in the euro area and by 2.5% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison by construction sector and by Member State

The decrease of 2.2% in production in construction in the euro area in January 2018, compared with December 2017, is due to building construction falling by 3.1% and civil engineering by 0.9%.

In the EU28, the decrease of 2.1% is due to building construction falling by 2.8% and civil engineering by 0.3%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in production in construction were recorded in France (-7.6%), Sweden and the United Kingdom (both -3.4%). The highest increases were observed in Slovenia (+14.4%), Poland (+8.8%) and Hungary (+6.4%).

Annual comparison by construction sector and by Member State

The increase of 3.7% in production in construction in the euro area in January 2018, compared with January 2017, is due to civil engineering rising by 9.3% and building construction by 2.0%.

In the EU28, the increase of 2.5% is due to civil engineering rising by 8.4% and building construction by 0.9%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in production in construction were recorded in Slovenia (+76.0%), Hungary (+43.1%), the Czech Republic (+33.6%) and Poland (+31.8%).

Decreases were observed in Spain (-3.6%) and the United Kingdom (-3.2%).