In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 2.2% in the euro area (EA15) and by 1.7% in the EU27 in December 2008, compared with the previous month. In November, construction output decreased by 1.7% and 1.1% respectively. Compared with December 2007, output in December 2008 dropped by 10.1% in the euro area and by 6.7% in the EU27. Compared with 2007, average construction output for 2008 decreased by 2.7% in the euro area and by 1.2% 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 is available for December 2008, construction output rose in five and fell in seven. The most significant increases were registered in Poland (+2.0%), the Netherlands and Romania (both +1.5%). The largest decreases were recorded in Slovenia (-9.6%), Spain (-6.9%) and Bulgaria (-3.3%). Building construction fell by 1.8% in the euro area and by 2.1% in the EU27, after -1.3% in both zones in November. Civil engineering decreased by 2.7% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU27, after -0.7% and +0.3% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data is available for December 2008, construction output rose in five and fell in seven. The highest increases were recorded in Romania (+16.1%), Slovakia (+10.3%) and Poland (+5.0%). The largest decreases were registered in Spain (-23.7%), Sweden (-19.6%) and Portugal (-6.2%).

Building construction decreased by 10.3% in the euro area and by 7.7% in the EU27, after -5.5% and -3.5% respectively in November. Civil engineering fell by 10.6% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU27, after -4.4% and +0.9% respectively in the previous month.

Note: Full data for Malta was not available.