European Construction Volumes: Decline in all Three Sub-Segments – Selected findings from the Euroconstruct Summer Conference 2012

According to the findings of the Euroconstruct Summer Conference, construction activity looks set to drop by a total of around 2% in the 19 Euroconstruct countries this year. In contrast to expectations just six months ago, construction looks set to fall in all three sub-segments: residential construction, non-residential construction and structural engineering in 2012. At around 0.5%, the decline in residential construction looks set to be smallest. Non-residential construction and structural engineering will have to sustain clear losses this year. The downturn in construction activity in these two sub-segments should amount to a good 2.5 percent and around 4% respectively. The hope of stabilization, or even a recovery in European construction, has failed to materialize. A very slight increase of around 0.5% is nevertheless forecast for 2013. By 2014 construction activity should return to the level reached in 2011.