In August 2012 compared with July 2012, seasonally adjusted industrial production grew by 0.6% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.3% in the EU27, according to estimates released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In July production increased by 0.6% and 1.0% respectively. In August 2012 compared with August 2011, industrial production dropped by 2.9% in the euro area and by 1.8%
in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

In August 2012 compared with July 2012, production of durable consumer goods increased by 3.9% in the euro area and by 2.4% in the EU27. Non-durable consumer goods grew by 1.3% and 1.0% respectively. Production of energy rose by 0.9% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27. Capital goods gained 0.7% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU27. Intermediate goods remained stable in the euro area and fell by 0.1% in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data are available, industrial production rose in thirteen, fell in eight and remained stable in Ireland. The highest increases were registered in Portugal (+6.8%), Lithuania (+4.6%), Slovenia (+4.0%) and Greece (+2.5%), and the largest decreases in the Czech Republic (-2.9%), Denmark (-2.8%), Romania and Finland (both -1.1%).

Annual comparison

In August 2012 compared with August 2011, production of intermediate goods declined by 4.9% in the euro area and by 3.8% in the EU27. Durable consumer goods fell by 4.9% and 2.9% respectively. Capital goods decreased by 1.9% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27. Non-durable consumer goods dropped by 1.4% and 0.8%respectively. Production of energy remained stable in the euro area and fell by 0.5% in the EU27.

Among the Member States for which data are available, industrial production fell in eleven and rose in eleven. The largest decreases were registered in Italy (-5.2%), Spain (-3.2%) and the Czech Republic (-3.1%), and the highest increases in Slovakia (+17.0%), Lithuania (+11.1%) and Latvia (+8.1%).