In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 0.6% in the euro area (EA13) and by 0.7% in the EU27 in December 2007 compared with the previous month. In November, production decreased by 1.0% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU27. Compared with December 2006, output in December 2007 declined by 3.3% in the euro area and by 4.0% in the EU27. Compared with 2006, the average construction output for 2007 increased by 3.7% in the euro area and by 3.9% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for December 2007, construction output rose in eight and fell in four. The largest increases were recorded in Slovakia (+5.4%), Poland (+5.1%) and Sweden (+2.3%). The highest decreases were registered in the United Kingdom (-15.6%), Slovenia (-8.7%) and the Netherlands
(-2.4%).

Building construction fell by 0.7% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU27, after -1.5% and -0.6% respectively in November. Civil engineering decreased by 1.3% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU27, after -0.6% and -0.8% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for December 2007, construction output rose in seven and fell in five. The largest increases were recorded in Romania (+30.9%), Poland (+12.6%) and Sweden (+10.9%). The highest decreases were recorded in the United Kingdom (-12.7%), Spain (-9.5%) and Slovenia (-8.3%).

Building construction fell by 3.5% in the euro area and by 4.1% in the EU27, after -0.8% and +0.9% respectively in November. Civil engineering decreased by 6.0% in the euro area and by 6.3% in the EU27, after -0.8% and +1.8% respectively in the previous month.