In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 2.7% in the euro area (EA17) and by 6.6% in the EU27 in April 2012, compared with the previous month. In March 2012, production increased by 11.4% and 10.8% respectively. Compared with April 2011, production in April 2012 dropped by 5.0% in the euro area and by 5.1% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for April 2012, production in construction fell in nine and rose in five. The largest decreases were registered in the United Kingdom (-18.1%), Slovenia (-9.3%), Portugal (-6.7%) and Germany (-6.0%), and the highest increases in Romania (+11.5%), France (+2.3%) and Poland (+1.9%).

Building construction dropped by 2.7% in the euro area and by 7.3% in the EU27, after +11.0% in both zones in March 2012. Civil engineering fell by 1.1% in the euro area and by 2.7% in the EU27, after +14.0% and +12.5% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for April 2012, production in construction fell in nine and rose in five. The largest decreases were registered in Italy and Slovakia (both -15.1%), Spain (-14.6%), Portugal (-14.3%) and Slovenia (-14.1%), and the highest increases in Romania (+22.8%), Poland (+9.7%) and Sweden(+4.3%).

Building construction declined by 4.7% in the euro area and by 4.6% in the EU27, after -2.3% and -2.8% respectively in March 2012. Civil engineering decreased by 6.2% in the euro area and by 8.6% in the EU27, after -4.6% and -7.8% respectively in the previous month.