Production in construction down in euro area

In October 2017 compared with September 2017, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector decreased by 0.4% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.7% in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In September 2017, production in construction grew by 0.1% in the euro area, while it fell by 0.2% in the EU28.

In October 2017 compared with October 2016, production in construction increased by 2.0% in both zones.

Monthly comparison by construction sector and by Member State

The decrease of 0.4% in production in construction in the euro area in October 2017, compared with September 2017, is due to building construction falling by 0.5% and civil engineering by 0.3%.

In the EU28, the decrease of 0.7% is due to building construction falling by 0.8% and civil engineering by 0.1%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in production in construction were recorded in Sweden (-2.1%), the United Kingdom (-1.6%), Germany and Romania (both -1.3%), and the highest increases in Slovenia (+8.5%), Hungary (+5.9%) and Slovakia (+5.7%)

Annual comparison by construction sector and by Member State

The increase of 2.0% in production in construction in the euro area in October 2017, compared with October 2016, is due to building construction rising by 2.2% and civil engineering by 1.4%.

In the EU28, the increase of 2.0% is due to civil engineering rising by 2.9% and building construction by 1.8%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in production in construction were recorded in Hungary (+38.1%), Slovenia (+29.5%) and Poland (+18.0%), and the largest decreases in Romania (-14.3%) and Spain (-1.2%).