In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production decreased by 1.0% in the euro area (EA16) and by 2.1% in the EU27 in March 2009, compared with the previous month. In February, production declined by 0.6% and 0.2% respectively.

Compared with March 2008, output in March 2009 dropped by 8.7% in the euro area and by 10.5% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for March 2009, construction output rose in six, fell in five and remained stable in Slovakia. The most significant increases were registered in Germany (+7.6%), Portugal (+3.8%) and Romania (+1.7%), and the largest decreases in Spain (-5.5%), Sweden (-2.3%) and the United Kingdom (-1.1%).

Building construction decreased by 1.6% in the euro area and by 3.0% in the EU27, after -0.6% and -0.3% respectively in February. Civil engineering increased by 2.2% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU27, after -1.7% and -1.2% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for March 2009, construction output fell in ten and rose only in Germany (+5.3%) and Poland (+0.1%). The largest decreases were registered in Spain (-20.3%), Sweden (-17.7%) and the United Kingdom (-15.2%).

Building construction decreased by 11.7% in the euro area and by 12.6% in the EU27, after -9.9% and -10.3% respectively in February. Civil engineering increased by 0.2% in the euro area but fell by 4.1% in the EU27, after -5.8% and -5.0% respectively in the previous month.