Romania's construction output jumped 39% a year in August, the fastest rise in the EU

Our markets in August

• Romania: +7.2% on the month and +39.0% on the year.
• Poland: +1.9% on the month and +4.4% on the year, after a 2.4% annual fall in July.
• Bulgaria: +0.7% on the month and +4.2% on the year.
• Greece and Cyprus do not have to report monthly data, so they are not in the release.

The EU picture

Across the EU, construction output rose 2.0% on the month and 2.6% on the year. The growth came from civil engineering (+2.8% a year) and specialised construction work (+2.9%). Construction of buildings, which includes housing, fell 4.1% on the year.

What it does not show

The index measures the volume of work done, not home sales or prices. Romania's figure includes roads and other infrastructure, and its monthly data have been volatile this year, so one strong month is not yet a trend in housing.