European monthly construction output up +0,2% in July

Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Commission, reported a June to July increase of +0,2% in construction output in the EU27 Member States, although year-on-year 2007 to 2008 figures for July showed an overall decline of -1,8%.

Demonstrating the continued fragmentation of activity throughout Europe, construction output in ten of the EU27 countries either rose or remained static, while decreases were reported in Spain (-15,9%), Germany (-2,3%), and Portugal (-1,4%).

Activity in Europe’s newest Member States helped minimise the impact of a -3,3% fall in the Euro Zone countries so that the EU region as a whole reported the more moderate decline of -1,8%.