EU's industrial output soars by 0.2% in December 2003

EU’s industrial output soars by 0.2% in December 2003

As per the data published by EU statistics institution Eurostat, industrial output in 15 member states of European Union (EU) increased by 0.2% in December 2003, after a decline of 0.2% in November 2003 and a rise of 1% in October. In December 2003, industrial output soared by 2.3% in the Euro zone and by 1.5% in EU when compared with December 2002. Intermediate goods increased by 3.1% in the Euro zone and by 2.4% in EU in December 2003 when compared with December 2002 figures and the energy sector gained 2.7% and 0.4% respectively. Capital goods rose by 2.6% in the Euro zone and by 2.2% in EU while non-durable consumer goods increased by 1.5% and by 1.1% respectively. Durable consumer goods remained stable in the Euro zone, however fell by 0.2% in EU. In December 2003, the largest increases were recorded in Ireland with 17%, Belgium with 8.3%, Luxembourg with 4% and Germany with 3.3% compared to December 2002. Countries which showed a drop in industrial output are; Netherlands with 3.6%, Sweden with 3.1%, Denmark with 1.1% and UK with 0.9%.