In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 1.4% in the euro area (EA17) and by 1.8% in the EU27 in September 2012, compared with the previous month, according to first estimates released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In August 2012, production rose by 0.6% and 0.2% respectively. Compared with September 2011, production in September 2012 dropped by 2.6% in the euro area and by 5.8% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for September 2012, production in construction fell in eleven and rose in three. The largest decreases were registered in Portugal (-13.4%), Italy (-8.0%), Romania (-4.0%) and the United Kingdom (-3.0%), and the increases in Slovenia (+17.1%), Germany (+2.7%) and Sweden (+1.0%).

Building construction decreased by 2.3% in the euro area and by 2.5% in the EU27, after +0.8% and -0.1% respectively in August 2012. Civil engineering increased by 0.7% in the euro area and by 0.1% in the EU27, after -0.2% and +2.4% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for September 2012, production in construction fell in twelve and rose in two. The largest decreases were registered in Portugal (-18.2%), Italy (-17.8%), Poland (-16.7%), Slovakia (-14.9%) and the United Kingdom (-13.1%), and the increases in Sweden (+4.5%) and Germany (+4.0%).

Building construction declined by 3.2% in the euro area and by 6.5% in the EU27, after -0.6% and -4.4% respectively in August 2012. Civil engineering decreased by 2.0% in the euro area and by 4.2% in the EU27, after -5.3% and -5.1% respectively in the previous month.