In August 2008 compared with July 2008, seasonally adjusted industrial production grew by 1.1% in the euro area (EA15) and by 0.5% in the EU27. In July production fell by 0.2% and 0.1% respectively.

In August 2008 compared with August 2007, industrial production decreased by 0.7% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU27. These estimates are released by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.

Monthly comparison

In August 2008 compared with July 2008, production of intermediate goods rose by 1.6% in the euro area and by 1.0% in the EU27. Capital goods grew by 1.6% and 0.9% respectively. Production of energy increased by 1.3% in the euro area and by 0.7% in the EU27. Durable consumer goods rose by 1.2% and 1.0% respectively. Non-durable consumer goods remained stable in the euro area, but fell by 0.1% in the EU27.

In August 2008, among the Member States for which data are available, industrial production rose in nine, fell in eleven and remained stable in Greece. The highest increases were registered in Ireland (+6.2%), Germany (+3.3%) and Estonia (+1.6%). The most significant falls were registered in Lithuania (-4.5%), Bulgaria (-4.2%) and Slovakia (-3.9%).

Annual comparison

In August 2008 compared with August 2007, production of capital goods grew by 0.8% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU27. Production of energy rose by 0.8% in the euro area, but fell by 0.4% in the EU27. Intermediate goods decreased by 0.2% and 0.7% respectively. Non-durable consumer goods declined by 2.9% in both zones. Durable consumer goods fell by 6.2% in the euro area and by 5.3% in the EU27.

In August 2008, among the Member States for which data are available, industrial production rose in six, fell in fourteen and remained stable in Poland. The highest increases were registered in Ireland (+4.2%), Germany (+1.8%) and the Czech Republic (+1.7%), while the most important decreases were recorded in Latvia (-11.1%), Spain (-7.0%) and Italy (-5.3%).

Note: No specific data was available for Malta.