Construction output rose by 15.4 % in Q2

The latest Central Statistical Bureau calendar adjusted data at constant prices show that, compared to Q2 2022, in Q2 2023 construction output¹ rose by 15.4 %. Construction output in construction of buildings increased by 21.7 %, in specialised construction activities by 21.1 %, and in civil engineering by 0.9 %.

Construction output rose in all groups of specialised construction activities: in demolition and site preparation by 35.4 %, in other specialised construction activities (roofing activities and other specialised construction activities not elsewhere classified) by 28.5 %, in electrical, plumbing and other construction installation activities by 19.4 %, and in building completion and finishing (plastering, floor and wall covering, painting and glazing, etc.) by 16.9 %.

Construction output rise in civil engineering division was caused by an upturn in construction of utility projects (of 10.2 %) and construction of other civil engineering projects (water projects and civil engineering not elsewhere classified) (of 40.9 %). Construction of roads and railways witnessed a drop of 6.5 %, of which output in construction of roads and motorways reduced by 11.9 % and in construction of bridges and tunnels by 5.5 %.

Compared to H1 2022, in H1 2023 construction output increased by 16.1 % (according to calendar adjusted data at constant prices). In construction of buildings it rose by 23.2 %, in specialised construction activities by 17.5 %, and in civil engineering by 2.6 %.

Compared to Q1 2023, in Q2 2023 construction output reduced by 5.2 % (according to seasonally adjusted data at constant prices). In both construction of buildings and civil engineering it fell by 5.3 % while in specialised construction activities it increased by 1.8 %.

Construction output changes

(per cent, at constant prices)

Building permits granted²

In Q2 2023, 864 building permits were granted for construction, capital repairs, reconstruction and restoration of residential buildings with the total floor space of 245 thousand m² (127 permits fewer but 5 thousand m² more than in Q2 2022). Out of the number, 697 permits with the intended floor space of 199 thousand m² were issued for construction of new buildings (123 permits fewer but 9 thousand m² more than a year before) and 593 permits with intended floor space of 124 thousand m² were granted for construction of one-dwelling buildings.

During the period, 240 building permits were granted for construction, capital repairs, reconstruction and restoration of non-residential buildings with the total floor space of 136 thousand m² (134 permits and 86 thousand m² fewer than in Q2 2022), of which 178 permits with intended floor space of 90 thousand m² were issued for construction of new non-residential buildings. In its turn, 76 building permits were issued for construction, capital repairs, reconstruction and restoration of industrial buildings and warehouses with the total intended floor space of 96 thousand m², of which 51 permits were granted for construction of new buildings with intended floor space of 57 thousand m².

More information on index of production in construction and building permits granted is available in the official statistics portal section Construction and real estate.

Methodological information

¹ Own account construction works, including those performed abroad.

² Since Q4 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.

Media requests:
Communication Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
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More information on data:
Industrial and Construction Statistics Section
Dmitrijs Medvedevs
E-mail: Dmitrijs.Medvedevs@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366908