Home > Statistics > Building and dwelling production > 2020 > September > Cubic volume of granted building permits decreased further year-on-year

Published: 24 November 2020

Cubic volume of granted building permits decreased further year-on-year

According to Statistics Finland, in July to September 2020, building permits were granted for a total of 7.7 million cubic metres, 11.1 per cent less than one year ago. During this period, the cubic volume granted for residential building construction increased by 13.1 per cent and the cubic volume granted for other than residential building construction, in turn, decreased by 19.6 per cent. The decrease in the cubic volume of building permits was mainly due to the 48.2 per cent drop in construction of commercial and office buildings compared to last year.

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

Growth in cubic volume granted for residential building construction

In the third quarter of the year, building permits for residential building construction were granted for a total of 2.6 million cubic metres, 13.1 per cent more than one year earlier. The cubic volume granted for blocks of flats went up by 42.0 per cent. The cubic volume of detached and semi-detached houses decreased by 13.4 per cent from the previous year.

Building permits were granted in total for 8,586 dwellings in July to September. The figure was 21.1 per cent higher than one year previously. At the same time, construction of a total of 10,813 dwellings was started and 10,471 dwellings were completed.

Volume of building production decreased

In July to September, the constant-price value or the volume of ongoing building production decreased by 6.8 per cent year-on-year. The volume of residential building construction decreased by 5.4 per cent and that of other than residential building construction by 7.8 per cent. At the same time, building projects totalling 9,6 million cubic metres were started, 11.1 per cent less than one year earlier. The number of residential building starts was 9.4 per cent higher than one year ago.

Volume index of newbuilding 2015=100, trend

Preliminary data for October

For the time being, Statistics Finland publishes preliminary data on building projects started. This time series is available from 2018 onwards.

According to preliminary data, the moving annual total of building projects started grew in October by 2.4 per cent compared to September. As a result of the strong early part of the year and the starts in autumn, the moving annual total of the volume grew by 7.7 per cent in October from one year ago.

 

Preliminary registered starts, mil. m3, moving annual total

The figures are not comparable with the estimated starts given in the publications. Preliminary data are based on registered starts and their values are not supplemented from the first publication.

Source: Building and dwelling production, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Kalle Laukkanen 029 551 3017, Merja Järvinen 029 551 2458, Petri Kettunen 029 551 3558, rakennus.suhdanne@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Hannele Orjala

Publication in pdf-format (235.3 kB)

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Building production, three month total and year-on-year change (24.11.2020)
• Appendix table 2. Preliminary registered starts, moving annual total and month-on month change (24.11.2020)

Revisions in these statistics

• Revisions in these statistics (24.11.2020)

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Updated 24.11.2020