In March 2017 compared with February 2017, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector decreased by 1.1% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.8% in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In February 2017, production in construction grew by 5.5% in the euro area and by 3.9% in the EU28.
In March 2017 compared with March 2016, production in construction increased by 3.6% in the euro area and by 3.7% in the EU28.
Monthly comparison by construction sector and by Member State
The decrease of 1.1% in production in construction in the euro area in March 2017, compared with February 2017, is due to building construction falling by 1.7%, while civil engineering rose by 1.1%.
In the EU28, the decrease of 0.8% is due to building construction falling by 1.1%, while civil engineering rose by 0.7%.
Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in production in construction were recorded in France (-5.1%), Sweden (-4.5%) and Portugal (-2.0%), while the highest increases were observed in Poland (+9.7%), Slovenia (+6.5%), Slovakia (+3.6%) and Hungary (+3.4%).
Annual comparison by construction sector and by Member State
The increase of 3.6% in production in construction in the euro area in March 2017, compared with March 2016, is due to civil engineering rising by 6.8% and building construction by 2.7%.
In the EU28, the increase of 3.7% is due to building construction rising by 3.8% and civil engineering by 3.3%.
Among Member States for which data are available, the highest increases in production in construction were recorded in Slovenia (+41.5%), Hungary (+33.2%) and Poland (+13.0%). Decreases were observed in Spain (-5.0%) and Romania (-1.0%).