Construction output up by 6.9% in euro area

In February 2017, compared with January 2017, seasonally-adjusted production in the construction sector increased by 6.9 per cent in the euro area (EA19) and by 4.4 per cent in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

In January 2017 construction output fell by 2.4 per cent in the euro area and by 1.5 per cent in the EU28.

In February 2017 compared with February 2016, production in construction rose by 7.1 per cent in the euro area and by 5.2 per cent in the EU28.

Monthly comparison by construction sector and by member state
The increase of 6.9 per cent in construction output in the euro area in February 2017 (compared with January 2017) is due to civil engineering rising by 10.1 per cent and building construction by 6.2 per cent.

In the EU28 the increase of 4.4 per cent is due to civil engineering rising by 5.5 per cent and building construction by four per cent.

Among member states for which data are available, the highest increase in production in construction were recorded in Slovenia (+25.7 per cent), Belgium (+18.7 per cent) and Germany (+13.6 per cent), while the largest decreases were observed in Poland (-2.8 per cent), Sweden (-1.8 per cent) and the United Kingdom (-1.6 per cent).

Annual comparison by construction sector by member state
The increase of 7.1 per cent in production in construction in the euro area in February 2017, compared with February 2016, is due to civil engineering rising by 10.3 per cent and building construction by 6.2 per cent.

In the EU28 the increase of 5.2 per cent is due to civil engineering rising by 5.6 per cent and building construction by 4.8 per cent.

Among member states for which data are available, the highest increase in production in construction were recorded in Slovenia (+21.4 per cent), Hungary (+15.1 per cent), Sweden (+13.2 per cent) and Germany (+11.6 per cent), while the largest decreases were observed in Slovakia (-10.6 per cent), the Czech Republic (-5.5 per cent) and Poland (-5.1 per cent).