In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production increased by 0.1% in the euro area (EA15) and by 0.7% in the EU27 in October 2008 compared with the previous month. In September, production fell by 0.9% and 1.6% respectively.

Compared with October 2007, output in October 2008 dropped by 4.0% in the euro area and by 3.5% 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 October 2008, construction output rose in eight, fell in four and remained stable in France. The most significant increases were registered in the United Kingdom (+8.2%), Spain (+3.8%), Bulgaria (+1.8%) and Poland (+1.7%). The largest decreases were recorded in Slovakia (-4.7%), Germany (-3.0%) and the Czech Republic (-1.1%).

Building construction was stable in the euro area and increased by 0.7% in the EU27, after -1.2% and -2.1% respectively in September. Civil engineering fell by 0.2% in the euro area, but increased by 0.9% in the EU27, after -0.8% and +0.2% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for October 2008, construction output rose in seven and fell in six. The highest increases were recorded in Romania (+20.6%), Slovenia and Slovakia (both +15.7%) and Bulgaria (+15.0%). The largest decreases were registered in Spain (-13.7%), the United Kingdom (-6.1%) and Germany (-3.8%).

Building construction decreased by 4.1% in the euro area and by 3.8% in the EU27, after -4.0% and -4.2% respectively in September. Civil engineering fell by 4.1% in the euro area and by 1.9% in the EU27, after -2.8% and +1.6% respectively in the previous month.