In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production decreased by 0.6% in the euro area (EA16) and by 0.4% in the EU27 in October 2009, compared with the previous month. In September, production fell by 0.8% and 0.5% respectively.

Compared with October 2008, output in October 2009 dropped by 7.7% in the euro area and by 6.9% in the EU27. These first estimates are released by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data was available for October 2009, construction output fell in nine, rose in Slovenia (+3.7%) and Sweden (+0.4%), and remained stable in France. The largest decreases were recorded in Slovakia (-7.3%), Bulgaria and Romania (both -4.4%).

Building construction dropped by 1.0% in the euro area and by 0.7% in the EU27, after -0.7% and -0.6% respectively in September. Civil engineering increased by 0.8% in the euro area and by 1.4% in the EU27, after -2.2% and -0.8% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data was available for October 2009, construction output fell in nine and rose in Poland (+3.3%), the Czech Republic (+1.5%) and Germany (+0.2%). The largest decreases were registered in Slovenia (-28.2%), Bulgaria (-25.1%), Romania (-24.7%) and Slovakia (-21.2%).

Building construction fell by 10.1% in the euro area and by 9.9% in the EU27, after -10.3% in both zones in September. Civil engineering increased by 1.0% in the euro area and by 5.5% in the EU27, after -0.9% and +2.5% respectively in the previous month.

Note: No data was available from Malta.