Brussels, 17/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 2.0% in the euro area and by 2.7% in the EU27 in May 2009, compared with the previous month. In April, production rose by 0.4% and 0.6% respectively. Compared with May 2008, output in May 2009 dropped by 8.0% in the euro area and by 9.6% in the EU27, according to first estimates released by Eurostat, published on Friday 17 July.
A monthly comparison shows that construction output fell in ten member states and rose only in Slovakia (+5.4%) and Sweden (+1.1%). The largest decreases were recorded in Spain (-4.3%), the Czech Republic (-4.1%) and Bulgaria (-3.8%). Building construction declined by 2.1% in the euro area and by 2.7% in the EU27, after +0.4% and +2.4% respectively in April. Civil engineering fell by 0.4% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU27, after -2.2% and -0.8% respectively in the previous month.
As an annual comparison, construction output fell in nine member states and rose only in Sweden (+10.9%), Germany (+1.2%) and Poland (+0.1%). The largest decreases were registered in Romania (-23.7%), Slovenia (-21.1%) and the United Kingdom (-17.9%). Building construction dropped by 10.3% in the euro area and by 11.5% in the EU27, after -7.0% and -7.4% in April. Civil engineering increased by 0.9% in the euro area, but fell by 1.7% in the EU27, after +2.2% and +3.1% respectively in the previous month. (A.B./transl.jl)