In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 0.3% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.2% in the EU27 in July 2012, compared with the previous month. In June 2012, production decreased by 0.6% and 1.4% respectively. Compared with July 2011, production in July 2012 dropped by 4.7% in the euro area and by 6.1% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for July 2012, production in construction fell in ten and rose in five. The largest decreases were registered in Italy (-2.2%), Spain (-2.1%) and Sweden (-1.1%), and the highest increases in Hungary (+8.7%), Germany (+1.9%), Bulgaria and the Czech Republic (both +1.6%).

Building construction dropped by 0.8% in both the euro area and the EU27, after -0.2% and -1.1% respectively in June 2012. Civil engineering rose by 1.1% in the euro area and by 0.7% in the EU27, after -0.4% and -2.0% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for July 2012, production in construction fell in twelve and rose in three. The largest decreases were registered in Slovenia (-18.3%), Portugal (-18.2%), Spain (-16.1%) and Italy (-14.2%), and the increases in Hungary (+7.7%), Bulgaria (+3.0%) and Germany (+2.2%).

Building construction declined by 4.6% in the euro area and by 5.4% in the EU27, after -2.8% and -5.0% respectively in June 2012. Civil engineering decreased by 3.3% in the euro area and by 8.0% in the EU27, after -3.5% and -8.4% respectively in the previous month.