In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production increased by 0.1% in the euro area (EA15) and by 0.2% in the EU27 in July 2008, compared with the previous month. In June, production decreased by 0.9% and 0.7% respectively.

Compared with July 2007, output in July 2008 dropped by 3.3% in the euro area and by 1.5% 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 July 2008, construction output rose in ten and fell in three. The most significant increases were registered in Bulgaria (+5.3%), Portugal (+3.6%), Slovenia (+2.9%) and the Netherlands (+2.6%). The decreases were recorded in the United Kingdom (-2.7%), Germany (-2.0%) and Spain (-0.7%).

Building construction remained stable in the euro area and gained 0.1% in the EU27, after -0.8% and -0.6% respectively in June. Civil engineering decreased by 0.6% in the euro area, but increased by 0.8% in the EU27, after -1.1% and -2.2% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for July 2008, construction output rose in ten and fell in three. The highest increases were recorded in Romania (+28.4%), Slovenia (+17.9%), Bulgaria (+16.4%) and Poland (+16.1%). The decreases were registered in Spain (-15.9%), Germany (-2.3%) and Portugal (-1.4%).

Building construction decreased by 3.3% in the euro area and by 1.8% in the EU27, after -3.2% and -1.5% respectively in June. Civil engineering fell by 4.0% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27, after -2.3% and +0.6% respectively in the previous month.