In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production increased by 0.6% in the euro area (EA16) and by 0.7% in the EU27 in April 2009, compared with the previous month. In March, production rose by 0.6% and by 0.1% respectively. Compared with April 2008, output in April 2009 dropped by 4.7% in the euro area and by 5.1% 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 are available for April 2009, construction output rose in six and fell in six. The most significant increases were registered in the Czech Republic (+5.2%), Spain (+3.2%) and Sweden (+2.9%). The largest decreases were recorded in Slovenia (-12.1%), Romania (-6.1%) and Slovakia (-3.1%). Building construction increased by 0.6% in the euro area and by 2.7% in the EU27, after -0.4% and -1.3% respectively in March. Civil engineering decreased by 1.4% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU27, after +5.3% and +3.8% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data are available for April 2009, construction output rose in four and fell in eight. The highest increases were recorded in Germany (+6.1%), Sweden (+4.6%) and the Czech Republic (+3.3%). The largest decreases were registered in Slovenia (-22.8%), Romania (-13.7%) and Slovakia (-12.7%). Building construction decreased by 6.7% in the euro area and by 7.1% in the EU27, after -11.1% and -14.1% respectively in March. Civil engineering increased by 3.0% in the euro area and by 3.9% in the EU27, after +0.9% and -1.7% respectively in the previous month.

No specific data was available for Malta.