Home > Statistics > Building and dwelling production > 2019 > March > Fewer building permits granted in first quarter than one year earlier

Published: 21 May 2019

Fewer building permits granted in first quarter than one year earlier

According to Statistics Finland, in January to March 2019, building permits were granted for a total of 7.7 million cubic metres, which is 11.8 per cent lower than in the corresponding period one year ago. Examined by building type, the cubic volume covered by permits granted for commercial and office buildings decreased most, by 46.0 per cent. The cubic volume granted for residential buildings went down by 24.2 per cent from one year back.

Granted building permits and building starts, mil. m3, moving annual total

Residential building construction decreased further in the first quarter

In the first quarter of 2019, cubic metres covered by permits for residential buildings amounted to 2.3 million, while one year earlier, the figure was 3.1 million cubic metres. The cubic volume for all building types decreased further year-on-year. The cubic volume covered by permits for residential blocks of flats decreased by 27.0 per cent, that for terraced houses by 28.5 per cent and that for detached houses by 15.6 per cent.

In the first quarter of 2019, building permits were granted in total for 7,580 dwellings, one year earlier the corresponding figure was 10,986 dwellings. The number of building permits granted for residential buildings fell by 31.0 per cent from the previous year.

Growth in the volume of building production petered out

In the first quarter, the growth of the constant-price value or the volume of ongoing building production petered out to 0.8 per cent. One year earlier, growth amounted to 13.6 per cent. The volume of other than residential building construction went up by 3.0 per cent over the period. The volume of residential building construction made a 1.7 per cent downturn in the first quarter. The last time it decreased was in 2015. The same number of residential building construction projects were started in the first quarter as in the year before.

Volume index of newbuilding 2010=100, trend

Source: Building and dwelling production, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Paavo Kokkonen 029 551 3028, Merja Järvinen 029 551 2458, Heli Suonio 029 551 2481, rakennus.suhdanne@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mari Ylä-Jarkko

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• Appendix table 1. Building production, three month total and year-on-year change (21.5.2019)

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Updated 21.5.2019