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Construction output grew by 14.9% in Q1 in Latvia

Madara Liepiņa, Statistics Latvia, Riga, 08.05.2020.Print version
The latest data compiled by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that, compared to the 1st quarter of 2019, in the 1st quarter of 2020 construction output1 increased by 14.9% (according to calendar adjusted data at constant prices). Construction output rise was observed in construction of buildings (of 16.4%), civil engineering (16%) and specialised construction activities (9.7%).

The upturn was influenced by favourable weather conditions allowing to continue work on the started projects and start new ones earlier.


Compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, output rise in civil engineering was significantly affected by the increase in construction of water projects and construction of other civil engineering projects not elsewhere classified (of 41.5%), as well as construction of roads and railways (25.5%).



Compared to the 4th quarter of 2019, in the 1st quarter of 2020 construction output grew by 11.5% (according to seasonally adjusted data at constant prices), of which construction of buildings by 10.9%, civil engineering by 1.9% and specialised construction activities by 22%.


Construction output changes

(as per cent, at constant prices)


 

Q1 2020, compared to

Q4 2019

(seasonally adjusted)

Q1 2019

(calendar adjusted)

Total

11.5

14.9

Construction of buildings

10.9

16.4

Civil engineering

1.9

16.0

Construction of roads and railways (incl. bridges)

-1.8

25.5

Construction of utility projects

6.8

6.5

Construction of other civil engineering projects n.e.c. (water projects and other civil engineering n.e.c.)

46.5

41.5

Specialised construction activities

22.0

9.7

Demolition and site preparation

-9.0

6.5

Electrical, plumbing and other construction installation activities

4.7

-1.3

Building completion and finishing (plastering, floor and wall covering, painting and glazing, etc.)

26.2

14.0

Other specialised construction activities n.e.c.

14.1

43.3


Building permits granted (2)

In the 1st quarter of 2020, 749 building permits were granted for the construction, capital repairs, reconstruction and restoration of residential buildings with the total floor space of 222 thousand m2 (88 permits and 49 thousand m2 more than in the 1st quarter of 2019), of which 532 permits with the intended floor space of 156 thousand m2 were issued for construction of new buildings (56 permits and 34 thousand m2 more than a year before). Out of the total number, 411 permits were granted for construction of one-dwelling buildings (with intended floor space of 97 thousand m2).


During the period, 381 building permits were granted for the construction, capital repairs, reconstruction and restoration of non-residential buildings with the total floor space of 270 thousand m2, of which 242 permits with the intended floor space of 148 thousand m2 were issued for construction of new non-residential buildings. In its turn, 69 building permits were issued for construction, capital repairs, reconstruction and restoration of industrial buildings and warehouses with the total intended floor space of 138 thousand m2, of which 40 permits were granted for construction of new buildings with the intended floor space of 75 thousand m2.


The published data may be specified if additional or more precise information is received from enterprises of administrative sources.


Methodological explanations

Own account construction works, including those performed abroad.

Since the 4th quarter of 2014, the term granted permits in construction statistics characterises the number of records entered in the construction permit confirming that conditions for commencement of construction work have been met.






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