In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production grew by 1.6% in the euro area (EA15) and by 0.6% in the EU27 in January 2008, compared with the previous month. In December 2007, production decreased by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.1% in the EU27.

Compared with January 2007, output in January 2008 rose by 1.6% in the euro area and by 0.7% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for January 2008, construction output rose in five and fell in five. The most significant increases were recorded in Slovakia (+17.0%) and Germany (+11.7%), and the largest decreases in Poland (-5.9%) and Sweden (-3.0%).

Building construction rose by 1.9% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU27, after -0.5% and -0.3% respectively in December 2007. Civil engineering increased by 1.3% in the euro area and by 1.4% in the EU27, after -1.1% and -1.0% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for January 2008, construction output rose in six and fell in four. The highest increases were recorded in Romania (+33.7%) and Slovakia (+14.9%), and the largest decreases in Spain (-8.0%) and the United Kingdom (-2.9%).

Building construction grew by 1.7% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU27, after -3.7% and -1.9% respectively in December 2007. Civil engineering increased by 1.9% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU27, after -4.9% and -4.2% respectively in the previous month.