Mixed data for Europe’s construction output

Compared with last year, construction output in February 2013 increased 0.8% in the Eurozone, but dropped 1.1% across all European member states (EU27).

The latest seasonally adjusted statistics from Eurostat represent a change in the pattern after 13 months in a row of unbroken declines in construction output in both the Eurozone and EU27.

The highest year-on-year increases were registered in France (8.7%), Bulgaria (7.8%), Hungary (7.1%) and Germany (6.2%), while the strongest decreases were seen in Portugal (20.9%), Poland (13.1%), Slovenia (11.3%) and the Netherlands (7.8%).

In terms of sectors, building construction output increased 0.9% in the Eurozone but dropped 0.8% in the EU27 year-on-year in February. Civil engineering output rose 0.3% in the Eurozone and fell 1.4% in the EU27.

Month-on-month comparison

Comparing February this year with January 2013, construction output fell 0.8% in the Eurozone and 0.4% in the EU27. Output remained stable in Spain, but decreased in Poland (3%), Germany (2.7%) and Portugal (0.8%). The strongest month-on-month increases were seen in Romania (5%), Slovakia (4.1%) and Sweden (3.4%).

In terms of sectors, building construction output increased 0.4% in the Eurozone and 0.6% in the EU27 month-on-month in February. Civil engineering output fell 1.6% in the Eurozone and 1.4% in the EU27.