Brussels, 24/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - Figures for January 2009 in the construction sector showed that production rose by 1.3% in the euro area and by 1.8% in the EU27, compared with the previous month. In December 2008, production fell by 2.8% and 1.8% respectively. Compared with January 2008, output in January 2009 dropped by 9.1% in the euro area and by 7.3% in the EU27.
In monthly terms, construction output rose in five member states and fell in six. The most significant increases were registered in Slovenia (+22.4%), Spain (+7.8%) and Sweden (+2.2%). The largest decreases were recorded in Hungary (-13.9%), Germany (-7.8%) and Romania (-6.4%). Building construction grew by 0.1% in the euro area and by 1.8% in the EU27, after -2.6% and -2.8% respectively in December. Civil engineering rose by 5.1% in the euro area and by 2.3% in the EU27, after -2.7% and -1.4% respectively in the previous month.
In annual terms, construction output rose in three member states and fell in eight. The increases were recorded in Poland (+9.1%), Romania (+7.0%) and Sweden (+1.2%). The largest decreases were registered in Germany (-25.6%), Slovenia (-20.7%) and Hungary (-16.0%). Building construction fell by 12.0% in the euro area and by 9.0% in the EU27, after -14.7% and -12.0% respectively in December. Civil engineering declined by 1.6% in the euro area and by 2.1% in the EU27, after -9.9% and -5.4% respectively in the previous month. (A.B./transl.rh)