Construction production activity rose 0.2% in euro area and 0.6% in EU28

In June 2018, production activity in the construction sector rose by 0.2% in the euro area compared to May 2018. In the EU28, it increased by 0.6%, also in June 2018 compared to the previous month.

These are the first estimates by Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office.

In May this year, production activity in construction in the euro area and EU28 had increased by 0.3% and 1.2% respectively.

Euro area, EA19, and EU28

The euro area or EA19 refers to the nineteen countries in the EU that use the euro as their national currency.

The EU28 refers to the twenty-eight Member States of the European Union (EU). Some countries, such as the UK and Denmark, do not use the euro as their national currency. However, the UK and Denmark are EU Member States.

Germany and France, for example, are both in the euro area (EA19) and the EU28. Denmark and the UK, on the other hand, are in the EU28 but not the euro area.

Production activity – one year comparison

In the euro area, production activity in construction rose by 2.6% in June 2018 compared to June 2017. In the EU28, also in June 2018 compared to June 2017, construction activity rose by 2.7%.

Monthly comparison – drivers of growth

The euro area’s 0.2% rise in production in construction in June 2018 vs. May 2018 was due to:

– civil engineering 0.3%, and

– building construction 0.1%.

In the EU28, in June 2018 vs. May 2018, the main drivers of the 0.6% growth were:

– civil engineering 0.6%, and

– building construction 0.1%.

Monthly comparison – member states

Among Member States, the highest increases in production activity in construction in June 2018 vs. May 2018 were:

– Hungary 7.2%,

– Slovakia 4.5%, and

– France 3.8%.

The following countries posted the largest decreases:

– Slovenia -5.0%, and

– Germany -3.2%.

Annual comparison – drivers of growth

The euro area’s 2.6% rise in production in construction in June 2018 vs. June 2017 was due to:

– civil engineering 3.7%, and

– building construction 2.1%.

In the EU28, in June 2018 vs. June 2018, the key drivers of the 2.7% growth were:

– civil engineering 6.2%, and

– building construction 1.8%.

Annual comparison – member states

Among Member States, the highest increases in production activity in construction in June 2018 vs. June 2017 were:

– Hungary 28.3%,

– Poland 24.2%, and

– The Czech Republic 8.9%.

Bulgaria, which posted a decline of -2.9%, was the only country with lower production activity.