The construction industry in Europe is losing some momentum. The rise is expected to increase by 2.7% this year. In the previous year, the increase was 3.9%, as calculated by Euroconstruct. As a result, the pace of growth should continue to slow in the medium term, reaching only 1.4% by the end of the decade.
"Among the causes include the well-utilized capacities of the construction industry, the high prices for residential real estate, but also economic policy risks such as Brexit," says Ifo Institute for Economic Research (Ifo) expert Ludwig Dorffmeister. "In addition, over the past four years annual construction has increased by a tenth, thereby reducing part of the pent-up demand that has accumulated since the financial crisis."
Record growth in civil engineering; building construction is losing momentum
While building construction will noticeably lose momentum from 2018 to 2020, civil engineering is likely to record a remarkable spurt in the current and next year, says Ifo. With an increase of around 4.5% each, Euroconstruct expects record growth. "Extensive investments are flowing in roads and rails - but also in the energy infrastructure. In addition to the improvement of public finances, the increased investment requirements and the European structural aid play a key role, "explains Dorffmeister.
Declines in construction activity expected in some countries
Despite the still very favorable general conditions, demand for construction in many countries will be much weaker until the end of the decade. In some places, the upturn is even nearing its early end. Construction activity in 2019 is expected to fall in three (Germany, Finland, Sweden) and then in five Member States in 2020 (Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany).
Among the countries that rank among the "big five" in the Euroconstruct system (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Great Britain), Germany will show the lowest dynamics in the coming years with decreases in construction activity from 2019 onwards. In the "Big Five" gains are expected Spain, followed by Great Britain, whose construction industry will pick up again slightly in the coming years after a stagnation in 2018.
Among all 19 Euroconstruct countries, the biggest dynamics in the upcoming years in the construction industry are expected in smaller countries, namely Ireland, Hungary, Portugal, Poland and the Netherlands.
According to Euroconstruct, the construction industry in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and France will grow at the slowest pace until 2020, with Germany being the only country to show declining values.
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