European construction output continues to slow

Construction output in the 27 EU countries was down by 11,1% in July 2009 compared to 12 months ago according to the latest figures from Eurostat.

Only Poland and Germany recorded year-on-year increases to July of +10,6% and +1,9% respectively.

Elsewhere, Spain and Slovenia both saw contractions in output of -20,5%, with Romania also falling -17,5% and the UK -14,9%.

Across the Euro area, building construction fell by -12,9% and within the EU27 by -13,7%. Civil engineering output decreased by -0,3% in the Euro area but increased by +0,3 in the EU27.

Compared to last month, the Eurostat figures show more encouraging signs however, with Poland, Portugal and Sweden showing increases in output of +5,2%, +0,2% and +1,7% respectively.

Declines elsewhere in Europe were all single digit with the worst fall recorded in Romania at -9%. Other contracting markets include Slovenia at -4,6%, Spain at -4,1% and Bulgaria at -2,4%.