In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 0.3% in the euro area (EA17), but rose by 1.9% in the EU27 in March 2011, compared with the previous month. In February, production decreased by 0.8% in the euro area and rose by 1.4% in the EU27.

Compared with March 2010, output in March 2011 dropped by 4.9% in the euro area and by 2.7% in the EU27.

These first estimates are released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for March 2011, construction output rose in five and fell in seven. The highest increases were registered in the United Kingdom (+15.8%), Germany (+6.2%) and Slovakia (+5.6%), and the largest decreases in Slovenia (-7.4%), Portugal (-5.1%) and Bulgaria (-3.1%).

Building construction decreased by 0.5% in the euro area, but increased by 1.0% in the EU27, after -0.8% and +1.1% respectively in February. Civil engineering rose by 1.9% in the euro area and by 2.1% in the EU27, after +0.2% and +2.1% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for March 2011, construction output rose in six and fell in seven. The highest increases were registered in Poland (+23.5%), Germany (+16.2%) and Sweden (+6.2%), and the largest decreases in Spain (-38.0%), Slovenia (-30.8%) and Bulgaria (-19.1%).

Building construction decreased by 6.5% in the euro area and by 4.0% in the EU27, after +3.8% and +4.3% respectively in February. Civil engineering rose by 3.2% in the euro area and by 3.9% in the EU27, after +1.1% and +0.6% respectively in the previous month.