In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 1.4% in the euro area (EA17) and by 1.3% in the EU272 in January 2013, compared with the previous month, according to first estimates released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In December 2012, production increased by 0.3% in the euro area, but declined by 0.6% in the EU27.

Compared with January 2012, production in January 2013 dropped by 7.3% in the euro area and by 8.0% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for January 2013, production in construction fell in nine and rose in four. The largest decreases were registered in Slovenia (-7.4%), Sweden (-5.1%), the Czech Republic (-4.4%) and France (-4.0%), and the increases in Poland (+5.3%), Bulgaria (+3.7%), Germany (+3.0%) and Portugal (+1.2%).

Building construction decreased by 1.0% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU27, after +0.1% and -0.7% respectively in December 2012. Civil engineering fell by 3.2% in the euro area and by 1.7% in the EU27, after +0.5% and -1.1% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Production in construction fell in all Member States for which data are available for January 2013. The largest decreases were registered in Slovenia (-22.1%), Portugal (-20.2%), Poland (-17.3%), Slovakia (-14.9%) and the Netherlands (-13.7%).

Building construction declined by 7.3% in the euro area and by 7.7% in the EU27, after -5.1% and -6.1% respectively in December 2012. Civil engineering decreased by 8.9% in the euro area and by 9.5% in the EU27, after -3.0% and -10.8% respectively in the previous month.