Construction output in the euro area was 1.3 per cent less in September 2008 than the previous month and 3.8 per cent less than in September 2007, according to figures released on November 19 2008 by European statistical office Eurostat.

From August 2008 to September 2008, construction output decreased 1.5 per cent, and the figure overall for the European Union's 27 members was 3.1 per cent less in September 2008 than for the same month in 2007.

Eurostat said that among EU member states for which data are available for September 2008, construction output rose in eight and fell in five.

The most significant increases were registered in Slovakia (+7.2 per cent), Portugal (+6.8 per cent) and Bulgaria (+5.9 per cent).

The largest decreases were recorded in the United Kingdom (-8.5 per cent) and Spain (-7.8 per cent).

Building construction decreased by 1.5 per cent in the euro area and by 2.3 per cent in the EU27, after an increase of 0.5 per cent in both zones in August.

Civil engineering fell by one per cent in the euro area, but increased by three per cent in the EU27, after +1.2 per cent and -0.5 per cent respectively in the previous month.

In a comparison on an annual basis, Eurostat said that among member states for which data was available for September 2008, construction output rose in eight and fell in five.

The highest increases were recorded in Romania (+27.0 per cent), Slovenia (+19.4 per cent) and Bulgaria (+17.7 per cent).

The largest decreases were registered in Spain (-24.1 per cent) and Sweden (-19.8 per cent).

Building construction decreased by 4.3 per cent in the euro area and by 4.2 per cent in the EU27, after -1.1 per cent and +0.3 per cent respectively in August.

Civil engineering fell by 2.6 per cent in the euro area, but increased by 3.7 per cent in the EU27, after decreasing by 2.1 per cent in both zones in the previous month, Eurostat said.