Analytics, Construction, Lithuania

In I quarter 2008, construction of blocks of flats in major cities of the country was further increasing (52%, against I quarter 2007). 

In blocks of flats, 2326 dwellings were equipped (73% of the total number of new dwellings), whose useful floor area made 146 thousand m², or almost 51% of the total useful floor area of new dwellings. The rest of 874 dwellings were equipped in 1–2 dwelling buildings, whose useful floor area made 142.1 thousand m² (49% of all the useful floor area). 

Table 1. New residential buildings completed

In I quarter 2008, almost 72% of dwellings were built in Vilnius county, 12% – in Klaipėda, 8% – in Kaunas counties. Most blocks of flats were built in Vilnius (30), Klaipėda (5), Kaunas (2), Šiauliai (1); in other counties only 1–2 dwelling buildings were constructed. The average useful floor area per dwelling made up 90 m². 

Table 2. New residential buildings completed by county

In I quarter 2008, 1711 building permits were issued for the construction of 1719 residential buildings (of which 42 – blocks of flats), i.e. by 49 permits, or 2.8%, less than in I quarter 2007. More than 98% of all permits were issued for the construction of 1–2 dwelling buildings, only 2% – for the construction of blocks of flats. Most building permits for the construction of blocks of flats were issued in Vilnius and Klaipėda cities, Trakai municipality, Kaunas city and district. 

Table 3. Building permits for the construction of new residential buildings

In I quarter 2008, 1153 non-residential buildings were constructed countrywide, whose total floor area made 276.9 thousand m², i.e. by 120 thousand m² (36%) more than in I quarter 2007. By the total floor area, industrial buildings and warehouses (100.5 thousand m²) and agricultural buildings (54 thousand m²) covered the vastest range.  

In I quarter 2008, 482 building permits for the construction of 619 non-residential buildings with the total floor area of 445.9 thousand m² were issued, i.e. the allowable building area, against I quarter 2007, increased by 52.9 thousand m². By the total floor area, most permits were those for the construction of commercial, catering enterprises and hotels (31%), industrial buildings and warehouses (26%). 

In I quarter 2008, countrywide, investment in long-term tangible assets made LTL 3863 million, i.e. was almost the same as in I quarter 2007. Investment in construction increased by 11% and made up 58% of the total investment, while investment in the acquisition of long-term tangible assets decreased by 8% and made up 41% of the total investment. For the construction and purchase of residential buildings, LTL 784 million (20% of total investment) were allocated, which is by 31% more than in I quarter 2007. 

In I quarter 2008, the work carried out by construction enterprises at their own account total for LTL 2194 million, or by 13% more than in I quarter 2007 (the change was estimated at constant prices of 2000, using a construction input price index). The value of works carried out within the territory of the country made LTL 2160 million, outside the country – LTL 33.5 million, i.e. twice as much as in I quarter 2007. 

The bulk of construction (49%) of non-residential buildings – LTL 1057 million, i.e. by 13% more than in I quarter 2007. Civil engineering works accounted for LTL 555 million (26%), construction of residential buildings – LTL 549 million (25%). 

Table 4. Construction work carried out by type of construction

New construction works accounted for LTL 1356 million, which made up more than half (63%) of all construction works carried out within the country, reconstruction works – LTL 411 million (19%), repairs and restoration – LTL 350 million (16%). 

Table 5. Construction work carried out by kind of work

Construction works are also influenced by the seasonality factor. Over I quarter 2008 against I quarter 2007, seasonally and working days adjusted, construction volumes within the territory of the country increased by 14.8%, while against IV quarter 2007 – by 5.9%. 

More details are available in the publication Investment in Tangible Fixed Assets and Construction, I Quarter 2008, which will be published on the website of Statistics Lithuania, at www.stat.gov.lt, on 30 May 2008.