Home > Statistics > Building and dwelling production > 2021 > March > Cubic volume covered of granted building permits increased from one year back

Published: 25 May 2021

Cubic volume covered of granted building permits increased from one year back

According to Statistics Finland, building permits were granted in January to March 2021 for a total of 9.0 million cubic metres, 6.3 per cent more than one year ago. The cubic volume of construction of residential buildings increased in the period by 24.7 per cent and that of other than residential building construction by 1.5 per cent. At the same time, 3.7 per cent more building projects were started than last year, but the constant-price volume of building production remained 4.4 per cent lower than one year ago.

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

Cubic volume granted for residential building grew in the first quarter

In January to March, building permits granted for residential building projects totalled 3.2 million cubic metres, the figure being 2.5 million cubic metres one year earlier. The good growth in residential building construction was mostly due to the cubic volume granted for blocks of flats, which grew by one third from one year ago. The cubic volume granted for single-family houses, detached houses, semi-detached houses and terraced houses grew by 14.0 per cent over the period.

Building permits were granted for a total of 10,476 dwellings in January to March. The figure was 26.1 per cent higher than one year previously. A building permit was granted for 1,347 dwellings in high buildings with at least ten storeys, which was 12.9 per cent of all dwellings. At the same time, the construction of altogether 9,778 dwellings was started and 7,249 dwellings were completed.

Volume of building production decreased

In January to March, the constant-price value or the volume of ongoing building production decreased by 4.4 per cent year-on-year. The volume of construction of residential buildings decreased by 2.6 per cent and that of other than residential building construction by 5.8 per cent. At the same time, building projects were started for a total of 7,9 million cubic metres. Residential building starts amounted to 2.8 million cubic metres, 10.6 per cent more than one year ago.

Volume index of newbuilding 2015=100, trend

Preliminary data for April

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 decreased slightly in April, by 0.3 per cent compared to March. The moving annual total of volume in April was slightly up by 2.0 per cent year-on-year.

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 (238.3 kB)

Tables

Tables in databases

Pick the data you need into tables, view the data as graphs, or download the data for your use.

• Database tables and their variables
• Archived tables

Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Building production, three month total and year-on-year change (25.5.2021)
• Appendix table 2. Preliminary registered starts, moving annual total and month-on-month change (25.5.2021)

Revisions in these statistics

• Revisions in these statistics (25.5.2021)

---

Updated 25.5.2021