Construction Production Declines in February

Construction output in the Czech Republic decreased by 4.3 percent year-on-year and 3.7 percent month-on-month in February. The reason was unfavorable weather and a high comparative base. The Czech Statistical Office (CSU) published the data on Thursday.

“In February, production hit high bases from February of last year and January of this year, and the decline was also contributed by less favorable weather. The decline in production was mitigated by ground construction, which decreased by 1.5 percent year-on-year. In comparison, engineering structures fell by 14.4 percent,” said Radek Matejka, Director of the Department of Statistics for Agriculture and Forestry, Industry, Construction, and Energy at CSU.

Construction authorities issued 6,006 building permits in February; 13 percent is less year-on-year. However, the indicative value of these permits increased by 5.3 percent to 41.9 billion crowns.

There were nearly five percent fewer flats started year-on-year

“The decline is due to the category of family houses, where the numbers have been falling since the middle of last year. On the other hand, more apartment buildings were started, especially in Prague,” commented Petra Curinova, Head of the Department of Construction and Housing Statistics at CSU.

On the other hand, 17.2 percent more flats were completed. Their number was 2,678 flats.