Construction output rose by 16.1 % in Q3

The latest Central Statistical Bureau calendar adjusted data at constant prices  show that, compared to Q3 2022, in Q3 2023 construction output¹ rose by 16.1 %. Construction output in construction of buildings increased by 33.2 %, in specialised construction activities by 16.6 %, and in civil engineering by 2.3 %.

Upturn in construction of buildings was facilitated by large projects and new agreements while in civil engineering and specialised construction activities by installation of solar panels and equipment thereof.

Construction output rose in all groups of specialised construction activities: in demolition and site preparation by 23.8 %, in electrical, plumbing and other construction installation activities by 18.2 %, in building completion and finishing (plastering, floor and wall covering, painting and glazing, etc.) by 15.4 % and in other specialised construction activities (roofing activities and other specialised construction activities not elsewhere classified) by 12.8 %.

Output increase in civil engineering was caused by an upturn in construction of utility projects – of 54.2 %, of which of 86.8 % in construction of utility projects for electricity and telecommunications. Output in construction of other civil engineering projects (water projects and civil engineering not elsewhere classified) went up by 25.2 %. Construction of roads and railways witnessed a drop of 15.0 %.

Compared to Q2 2023, in Q3 2023, construction output reduced by 2.5 % (seasonally adjusted data at constant prices). Construction of buildings fell by 1.5 %, specialised construction activities by 6.0 %, while civil engineering grew by 0.6 %.

Change in construction output

(per cent, at constant prices)

Building permits granted²

In Q3 2023, 922 building permits were granted for construction, capital repairs, reconstruction and restoration of residential buildings with the total area of 228 thousand m² (46 permits and 11 thousand m² fewer than in Q3 2022). Out of the number, 751 permits were issued for construction of new buildings with the intended area of 177 thousand m² (80 permits and 17 thousand m² fewer than a year before) and 603 permits were granted for construction of one-dwelling buildings with intended area of 123 thousand m².

During the period, 267 building permits were granted for construction, capital repairs, reconstruction and restoration of non-residential buildings with the total area of 239 thousand m² (68 permits and 43 thousand m² fewer than in Q3 2022), of  which 196 permits were issued for construction of new non-residential buildings with intended area of 160 thousand m². In its turn, 66 building permits were issued for construction, capital repairs, reconstruction and restoration of industrial buildings and warehouses with the total area of 104 thousand m², of which 56 permits were granted for construction of new buildings with intended area of 90 thousand m².

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 a construction permit confirming that conditions for commencement of construction work have been met.

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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