In September 2008 compared with August 2008, seasonally adjusted industrial production fell by 1.6% in the euro area (EA15) and by 1.1% in the EU27. In August production grew by 0.8% and 0.3% respectively.

In September 2008 compared with September 2007, industrial production decreased by 2.4% in the euro area and by 2.1% in the EU27.

These estimates are released by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.

Monthly comparison

In September 2008 compared with August 2008, production of non-durable consumer goods fell by 0.4% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU27. Production of energy dropped by 0.8% and 0.2% respectively. Capital goods declined by 1.8% in the euro area and by 1.7% in the EU27. Durable consumer goods fell by 2.5% and 1.4% respectively. Intermediate goods decreased by 2.6% in the euro area and by 2.0% in the EU27.

In September 2008, among the Member States for which data are available, industrial production rose in eleven and fell in nine. The highest increases were registered in Slovakia (+5.7%), Lithuania (+3.1%) and Poland (+3.0%). The most significant falls were registered in Germany (-3.7%), Greece (-2.9%) and Portugal (-2.8%).

Annual comparison

In September 2008 compared with September 2007, production of energy fell by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.1% in the EU27. Capital goods declined by 0.9% and 1.1% respectively. Non-durable consumer goods decreased by 2.1% in both zones.

Intermediate goods dropped by 3.5% in the euro area and by 3.0% in the EU27. Durable consumer goods fell by 6.7% and 4.7% respectively.

In September 2008, among the Member States for which data are available, industrial production rose in seven and fell in thirteen. The highest increases were registered in Lithuania (+7.3%), Slovakia (+5.4%) and Ireland (+3.9%), while the most significant decreases were recorded in Spain (-8.8%), Italy (-5.7%) and Latvia (-5.4%).

No specific data was available for Malta.