Europe’s construction output fell in July

Construction output in Europe fell year-on-year in July, according to the latest data from Eurostat.

Seasonally-adjusted output in the Eurozone was down 1.2% compared to July 2012, while output across all member states (EU28) fell 1.1%.

The strongest year-on-year declines were registered in Portugal (-16.3%), Bulgaria (-6.9%), Slovakia (-6.8%) and Poland (-6.4%). The highest increases were seen in Romania (14.2%), Spain (2.9%), Hungary and the UK (both 2%).

In terms of sectors, building construction output decreased 1.0% year-on-year in both the Eurozone and the EU28, while civil engineering output dropped 2% in the Eurozone and 2.3% in the EU28.

Monthly comparison

Comparing July with June this year, construction output increased 0.3% in the Eurozone and was also up 0.7% in the EU28.

The strongest month-on-month increases were registered in Romania (8.6%), Portugal (5.1%), Poland (5.0%) and the Czech Republic (4.9%). Decreases were observed in Sweden (-4.1%), Spain and Hungary (both -1.6%), and Slovenia (-0.5%).

Building construction output increased 1.1% in the Eurozone between June and July, and 1.3% in the EU28. Civil engineering output was down 0.2% in the Eurozone, but rose 0.5% in the EU28.