Construction output up by 1.3% in the euro area up by 1.8% in the EU27. In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production rose by 1.3% in the euro area (EA16) and by 1.8% in the EU272 in January 2009, compared with the previous month. In December 2008, production fell by 2.8% and 1.8% respectively.

Compared with January 2008, output in January 2009 dropped by 9.1% in the euro area and by 7.3% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for January 2009, construction output rose in five and fell in six. The most significant increases were registered in Slovenia (+22.4%), Spain (+7.8%) and Sweden (+2.2%). The largest decreases were recorded in Hungary (-13.9%), Germany (-7.8%) and Romania (-6.4%).

Building construction grew by 0.1% in the euro area and by 1.8% in the EU27, after -2.6% and -2.8% respectively in December. Civil engineering rose by 5.1% in the euro area and by 2.3% in the EU27, after -2.7% and -1.4% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for January 2009, construction output rose in three and fell in eight. The increases were recorded in Poland (+9.1%), Romania (+7.0%) and Sweden (+1.2%). The largest decreases were registered in Germany (-25.6%), Slovenia (-20.7%) and Hungary (-16.0%).

Building construction fell by 12.0% in the euro area and by 9.0% in the EU27, after -14.7% and -12.0% respectively in December. Civil engineering declined by 1.6% in the euro area and by 2.1% in the EU27, after -9.9% and -5.4% respectively in the previous month.