In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 0.4% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.9% in the EU27 in November 2012, compared with the previous month, according to first estimates released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In October 2012, production remained stable in the euro area and increased by 2.8% in the EU27. Compared with November 2011, production in November 2012 dropped by 4.7% in the euro area and by 5.9% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for November 2012, production in construction fell in eight and rose in six. The largest decreases were registered in Italy (-3.4%), the United Kingdom (-2.7%), Poland and Portugal (both -1.5%), and the highest increases in Slovenia (+14.9%), Romania (+5.1%) and Sweden (+2.2%).

Building construction decreased by 0.7% in the euro area and by 1.0% in the EU27, after +0.6% and +3.5% respectively in October 2012. Civil engineering rose by 0.9% in the euro area and by 0.1% in the EU27, after -1.5% and +1.8% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for November 2012, production in construction fell in ten and rose in four. The largest decreases were registered in Slovenia (-20.4%), Italy and Portugal (both -17.9%), and Slovakia (-13.1%), and the highest increases in Spain (+10.3%) and Sweden (+1.5%).

Building construction declined by 5.3% in the euro area and by 6.4% in the EU27, after -3.3% and -3.8% respectively in October 2012. Civil engineering decreased by 3.3% in the euro area and by 4.3% in the EU27, after -5.0% and -3.9% respectively in the previous month.