Production in construction down by 3.1% in euro area

Brussels – In December 2019 compared with November 2019, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector decreased by 3.1% in the euro area (EA19) and by 2.8% in the EU27, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In November 2019, production in construction increased by 0.7% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27.

In December 2019 compared with December 2018, production in construction fell by 3.7% in the euro area and by 2.6% in the EU27.

The average production in construction for the year 2019, compared with 2018, increased by 1.8% in the euro area and by 2.4% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison by construction sector and by Member State

In the euro area in December 2019, compared with November 2019, building construction decreased by 3.6% and civil engineering by 1.4%.

In the EU27, building construction decreased by 3.0% and civil engineering by 1.1%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in production in construction were recorded in Germany (-8.7%), Poland (-3.4%) and Hungary (-3.0%). Increases were observed in Slovakia (+3.4%), Czechia (+1.6%) and Sweden (+0.3%).

Annual comparison by construction sector and by Member State

In the euro area in December 2019, compared with December 2018, building construction decreased by 4.6% while civil engineering increased by 0.9%.

In the EU27 building construction decreased by 2.8% while civil engineering increased by 0.4%.

Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in production in construction were observed in Belgium (-6.5%), Spain (-6.2%) and Poland (-5.5%). The highest increases were recorded in Romania (+23.1%), Czechia (+6.2%), Slovenia and Sweden (both +2.9%).