In December last year, seasonally-adjusted industrial production increased by 0.7 percent in the euro area and by 0.5 percent in the EU-27, as compared with November. In November, production had decreased by 0.7 percent and 0.6 percent month on month respectively. In December last year compared with December 2011, industrial production decreased by 2.4 percent in the euro area and by 2.3 percent in the EU-27. These figures are released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
In 2012, the average industrial production index decreased by 2.4 percent in the euro area and by 2.1 percent in the EU-27, compared to 2011.
As compared to November, in December last year production of non-durable consumer goods increased by two percent in the euro area and by 1.3 percent in the EU-27, while capital goods rose by 1.3 percent in the euro area and by 1.2 percent in the EU-27. Meanwhile, the production of durable consumer goods increased by two percent in the euro area and by 0.4 percent in the EU-27. In December 2012, intermediate goods decreased by 0.2 percent in the euro area and by 0.3 percent in the EU-27. Meanwhile, in the given month production of energy decreased by 1.2 percent in the euro area and by 0.4 percent in the EU-27, month on month.
Among the member states for which data are available, in December as compared to the previous month, industrial production rose in 14 states, fell in six and remained stable in Spain, France and Romania. The largest decreases were registered in Slovakia (-4.4%) and in Denmark (-2.3 %), while the highest increases were seen in Ireland (+8.5%), and in Latvia and Slovenia (both +2.7%).
In December 2012 compared with December 2011, production of intermediate goods fell by 4.6 percent in both the euro area and the EU-27. Durable consumer goods dropped by 3.9 percent and 4.8 percent respectively. Capital goods decreased by 2.9 percent in the euro area and by 2.3 percent in the EU-27. Non-durable consumer goods declined by 1.3 percent and 1.9 percent respectively. Production of energy increased by 1.2 percent in the euro area and by 0.4 percent in the EU-27.
Among the member states for which data are available, in December last year compared to December 2011 industrial production rose in eight states and fell in 15. The highest increases were registered in Latvia (+10.7%), Malta (+10.3%) and in Lithuania (+9.1%), while the largest decreases were seen in Spain (-6.9%), Italy (-6.6%), the Czech Republic (-5.8%) and Poland (-5.4%).