In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production grew by 0.8% in the euro area and by 1.0% in the EU25 in the third quarter of 2006, compared to the previous quarter. In the second quarter of 20064, production increased by 2.9% and 2.1% respectively.

These first estimates are released by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.

Quarterly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for the third quarter of 2006, production in construction rose in eighteen Member States and fell in two. The most significant increases were recorded in Slovenia (+9.7%), Poland (+6.9%) and Lithuania (+4.8%). The only decreases were registered in Estonia (-1.2%) and France
(-0.1%).

Building construction rose by 0.8% in the euro area and by 1.0% in the EU25, after increases of 2.4% and 1.9% respectively during the second quarter of 2006. Civil engineering grew by 0.4% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU25, after rises of 2.9% and 1.1% respectively in the previous quarter.

Annual comparison

In the third quarter of 2006, among the Member States for which data are available, production in construction rose in eighteen Member States and fell in two. The largest increases were recorded in Estonia (+21.1%), Slovenia (+18.7%) and Lithuania (+18.5%). Portugal (-8.0%) and Hungary (-2.1%) registered the only falls.

Building construction rose by 4.6% in both the euro area and the EU25, after increases of 4.4% and 3.8% respectively in the second quarter of 2006. Civil engineering grew by 1.4% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU25 after rises of 1.4% and 0.9% respectively in the preceding quarter.