Construction output in the euro area and the European Union increased modestly in May 2026, with growth in specialized construction activities offsetting weaker building construction and civil engineering, according to Eurostat.
Monthly Growth Remains Positive
Seasonally adjusted construction production rose 0.4% in the euro area and 0.3% across the EU compared with April, following gains of 0.1% and 0.5%, respectively, a month earlier.
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Annual Output Continues To Rise
Compared with May 2025, construction output increased 1.2% in the euro area and 1.8% across the EU, although performance varied across different parts of the sector.
Building construction declined 0.7% in the euro area and 0.4% across the EU from the previous month, while civil engineering fell 0.5% and 1.3%, respectively. Specialized construction activities, however, increased 1.4% in both regions, supporting overall growth.
Member State Results Varied
Among member states reporting monthly data, Austria recorded the largest increase in construction output at 3.3%, followed by the Netherlands at 2.0% and France at 1.3%. Hungary posted the steepest decline, with output falling 6.4%, ahead of Spain at 2.8% and Slovenia at 1.9%.
Annual Trends Remained Mixed
Compared with a year earlier, building construction fell 6.6% in the euro area and 5.2% across the EU. Civil engineering, meanwhile, rose 3.5% and 2.3%, respectively, while specialized construction activities increased 2.9% in the euro area and 3.3% across the EU.
Slovenia recorded the strongest annual growth in construction output at 19.2%, followed by Slovakia at 10.0% and Finland at 9.4%. Spain posted the largest decline at 10.0%, ahead of Hungary at 6.7% and France at 0.7%.
