In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 1.6% in the euro area (EA17), while it rose by 1.6% in the EU272 in October 2012, compared with the previous month, according to first estimates released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In September 2012, production decreased by 1.3% and 1.6% respectively. Compared with October 2011, production in October 2012 dropped by 4.1% in the euro area and by 4.4% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for October 2012, production in construction fell in nine and rose in six. The largest decreases were registered in Slovenia (-21.1%), Germany (-5.3%) and Sweden (-4.7%), and the highest increases in the United Kingdom (+11.7%), Bulgaria (+2.2%) and Italy (+1.9%).

Building construction decreased by 1.3% in the euro area, but increased by 2.1% in the EU27, after -2.1% and -2.4% respectively in September 2012. Civil engineering dropped by 2.1% in the euro area, but rose by 2.0% in the EU27, after +0.6% and +0.2% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for October 2012, production in construction fell in twelve and rose in three. The largest decreases were registered in Portugal (-19.1%), Slovenia (-15.5%), Slovakia (-12.8%) and Italy (-12.1%), and the increases in Bulgaria (+5.7%), Spain (+3.4%) and Hungary (+1.3%).

Building construction declined by 3.8% in the euro area and by 4.5% in the EU27, after -4.5% and -7.1% respectively in September 2012. Civil engineering decreased by 5.3% in the euro area and by 3.5% in the EU27, after -2.3% and -5.0% respectively in the previous month.