In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production rose by 0.7% in the euro area (EA17), but fell by 0.9% in the EU27 in April 2011, compared with the previous month. In March, production decreased by 0.1% in the euro area and increased by 2.3% in the EU27.

Compared with April 2010, output in April 2011 dropped by 2.0% in the euro area and by 1.2% in the EU27.

These first estimates are released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for April 2011, construction output fell in eight and rose in Sweden (+1.6%), France (+0.7%) and Poland (+0.5%). The largest decreases were registered in the United Kingdom (-13.4%), Germany (-5.7%) and Portugal (-4.0%).

Building construction remained stable in the euro area and decreased by 1.4% in the EU27, after -0.3% and +1.5% respectively in March. Civil engineering rose by 0.8% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU27, after +1.2% and +2.2% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for April 2011, construction output fell in eight and rose in Poland (+18.7%), Sweden (+8.1%), Germany (+4.5%) and France (+3.8%). The largest decreases were registered in Slovenia (-27.3%), Bulgaria (-22.8%), Spain (-16.9%), Portugal and Slovakia (both -5.2%).

Building construction fell by 2.6% in the euro area and by 2.1% in the EU27, after -6.2% and -2.9% respectively in March. Civil engineering rose by 0.6% in the euro area and by 1.9% in the EU27, after +1.5% and +3.2% respectively in the previous month.