Construction output in EU down 5.8% year-on-year in September

Construction sector production in the European Union was down by 5.8% year-on-year in September 2012, according to data released by statistical agency Eurostat on Monday November 19.

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Among the 17 countries in the eurozone, construction output fell by 2.6% year-on-year, compared with September 2011.

Portugal was the poorest performer among the 27 EU member states, registering a year-on-year tumble of 18.2% in September, followed by Italy’s 17.8% fall and Poland’s 16.7% drop.

Slovakia and the UK also reported sharp drops of 14.9% and 13.1% year-on-year in September 2012.

Increases in output were at their highest in Sweden, with a rise of 4.5% year-on-year, and Germany, where production was up by 4% year-on-year in the month.

By sector, the index showed a drop of 6.5% in building construction across the EU and a fall of 4.2% year-on-year in civil engineering output.

Within the eurozone, building construction declined by 3.2% annually in September while civil engineering output was down by 2% year-on-year.