In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production grew by 0.5% in both the euro area (EA12) and the EU252 in December 2006, compared to the previous month. In November 2006, production increased by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU25.



Compared to December 2005, output in December 2006 gained 6.9% in the euro area and 6.7% in the EU25, after a rise of 5.9% in both zones in November 2006.

The average construction output index for 2006, compared to 2005, increased by 4.1% in the euro area and by 4.0% in the EU25.

Monthly comparison

Among the EU25 Member States for which data are available for December 2006, construction output rose in nine Member States and fell in two. The most significant increases were recorded in Poland (+5.5%), Slovenia (+5.3%) and Spain (+3.7%). Decreases were registered in Portugal (-6.0%) and in the Netherlands (-0.1%).

Building construction rose by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU25, after +0.8% and +0.6% respectively in November 2006. Civil engineering grew by 0.7% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU25, after +0.2% and -0.1% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

In December 2006, among the EU25 Member States for which data are available, construction output rose in ten Member States and fell only in Portugal (-10.7%). The largest increases were recorded in Slovenia (+30.3%), Slovakia (+20.1%) and Poland (+19.4%).

Building construction rose by 7.0% in the euro area and by 7.1% in the EU25, after +6.3% and +6.4% respectively in November 2006. Civil engineering grew by 6.6% in the euro area and by 4.5% in the EU25, after +3.8% and +2.9% respectively in the previous month.