In January 2009 compared with December 2008, the euro area1 (EA16) industrial new orders index fell by 3.4%. In December 2008 the index decreased by 8.0%. In the EU27 new orders declined by 2.2% in January 2009, after dropping by 6.8% in December 200. Excluding ships, railway & aerospace equipment, for which changes tend to be more volatile, industrial new orders fell by 3.3% in the euro area and by 3.8% in the EU27.

In January 2009 compared with January 2008, industrial new orders decreased by 34.1% in the euro area and by 30.7% in the EU27. Total industry excluding ships, railway & aerospace equipment dropped by 34.1% in the euro area and by 32.4% in the EU27.

From January 2009 onwards, data for industrial new orders are published according to a new classification. At the same time, indices are calculated and presented with 2005 as a new base year.

Monthly changes

In January 2009 compared with December 2008, new orders for intermediate goods fell by 0.5% in the euro area and by 1.0% in the EU27. Durable consumer goods decreased by 1.1% and 0.6% respectively. Non-durable consumer goods dropped by 2.3% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU27. Capital goods declined by 4.4% and 2.1% respectively.

Among the Member States for which data are available, total manufacturing working on orders rose in seven and fell in eleven. The highest increases were registered in Ireland (+16.6%), Hungary (+6.5%) and Denmark (+6.2%). The largest decreases were recorded in Romania (-14.8%), Lithuania (-12.7%) and Germany (-7.6%).

Annual changes

In January 2009 compared with January 2008, new orders for non-durable consumer goods fell by 10.6% in the euro area and by 8.1% in the EU27. Durable consumer goods dropped by 25.7% and 25.2% respectively. Intermediate goods decreased by 33.3% in the euro area and by 31.8% in the EU27. Capital goods declined by 39.7% and 34.4% respectively.

Total manufacturing working on orders fell in all Member States for which data are available, except Ireland (+7.2%). The largest falls were registered in Slovakia and Finland (both -38.4%), Germany (-37.7%) and Lithuania (-36.4%).