In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production grew by 1.2% in the euro area (EA15) and by 2.2% in the EU27 in February 2008, compared with the previous month. In January, production increased by 2.5% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU27.

Compared with February 2007, output in February 2008 rose by 4.3% in the euro area and by 5.0% in the EU27.

These first estimates are released by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for February 2008, construction output rose in ten and remained stable in the Netherlands and Slovakia. The most significant increases were recorded in the United Kingdom (+7.1%), Romania (+5.2%) and Poland (+4.6%).

Building construction rose by 0.7% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU27, after +2.4% and +1.7% respectively in January. Civil engineering increased by 3.2% in the euro area and by 3.9% in the EU27, after +1.9% and +2.9% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for February 2008, construction output rose in eleven and fell only in Spain (-5.6%). The largest increases were recorded in Slovenia (+41.6%), Romania (+36.6%) and Poland (+18.6%).

Building construction grew by 4.1% in the euro area and by 4.3% in the EU27, after +3.1% and +2.9% respectively in January. Civil engineering increased by 3.9% in the euro area and by 6.7% in the EU27, after +3.1% and +3.3% respectively in the previous month.