In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production1 fell by 3.3% in the euro area (EA16) and by 2.9% in the EU27 in February 2010, compared with the previous month. In January, production decreased by 0.9% in the euro-area and by 1.1% in the EU27.

Compared with February 2009, output in February 2010 dropped by 15.2% in the euro area and by 10.2% in the EU27.

Monthly comparison

Among the Member States for which data was available for February 2010, construction output fell in seven, rose in five and remained unchanged in the Czech Republic. The largest decreases were registered in Romania (-13.8%), Slovenia (-9.2%) and Spain (-6.0%), and the highest increases in Hungary (+6.0%), Portugal (+1.4%) and Germany (+1.0%).

Building construction fell by 3.2% in the Euro area and by 2.7% in the EU27, after -2.8% and -1.0% respectively in January. Civil engineering declined by 5.8% in the Euro area and by 3.4% in the EU27, after -1.8% and -2.3% respectively in the previous month.

Annual comparison

Among the Member States for which data was available for February 2010, construction output fell in twelve and grew only in the United Kingdom (+5.0%). The largest decreases were registered in Bulgaria (-30.0%), Slovenia (-28.7%), Romania (-26.9%) and Poland (-24.3%).

Building construction dropped by 14.9% in the euro area and by 10.4% in the EU27, after -10.7% and -8.1% respectively in January. Civil engineering decreased by 15.5% in the euro area and by 5.9% in the EU27, after -10.3% and -2.9% respectively in the previous month.

There was no specific data available for Malta.

These first estimates are released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

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