In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 7.1% in the euro area (EA17) and by 3.7% in the EU27 in February 2012, compared with the previous month. In January, production decreased by 0.5% and 3.9% respectively. Compared with February 2011, output in February 2012 dropped by 12.9% in the euro area and by 9.4% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for February 2012, construction output fell in twelve, rose in two and remained stable in Sweden. The largest decreases were registered in Germany (-17.1%), Slovenia (-10.3%), Italy (-9.9%) and Hungary (-7.2%), and the increases in the United Kingdom (+5.7%) and Romania (+1.7%).

Building construction dropped by 6.7% in the euro area and by 2.9% in the EU27, after -1.0% and -4.1% respectively in January 2012. Civil engineering fell by 9.6% in the euro area and by 10.1% in the EU27, after +1.1% and -2.8% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for February 2012, construction output fell in eleven, rose in three and remained stable in France. The largest decreases were registered in Slovenia (-27.5%), Italy (-23.0%) and Germany (-21.4%), and the increases in Poland (+13.4%), Romania (+5.2%) and Sweden (+3.6%).

Building construction declined by 11.3% in the euro area and by 7.9% in the EU27, after -2.4% and -1.2% respectively in January 2012. Civil engineering decreased by 18.4% in the euro area and by 15.9% in the EU27, after -3.0% and -0.7% respectively in the previous month.