In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production rose by 0.6% in the euro area (EA13) and by 0.3% in the EU27 in October 2007, compared with the previous month. In September, production decreased by 0.1% in the euro area, but increased by 0.3% in the EU27.

Compared with October 2006, output in October 2007 gained 2.4% in the euro area and 2.7% in the EU27. In September3 the annual growth was 0.9% and 2.9% respectively.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for October 2007, construction output rose in ten Member States and fell in three. The most significant increases were recorded in the United Kingdom (+8.9%), Portugal (+5.2%) and Spain (+4.2%). Decreases were registered in Sweden (-5.6%), Slovakia (-5.2%) and France (-0.2%).

Building construction rose by 1.1% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU27, after -0.1% and +0.5% respectively in September. Civil engineering remained stable in the euro area and grew by 0.3% in the EU27, after -0.1% and +0.2% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for October 2007, construction output rose in ten Member States and fell in three. The largest increases were recorded in Romania (+39.5%), Slovenia (+9.0%) and the Netherlands (+6.6%). Decreases were recorded in Sweden (-5.0%), Slovakia (-1.5%) and Germany (-0.7%).

Building construction rose by 2.6% in the euro area and by 2.9% in the EU27, after increases of 0.4% and 3.3% respectively in September. Civil engineering grew by 0.6% in the euro area and by 2.8% in the EU27, after increases of 1.7% and 3.3% respectively in the previous month.