An output rise was observed in all areas with construction of buildings up 11.7 %, civil engineering up 2.1 % and specialised construction activities up 2.4 %.
Compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year, the increase in construction output in civil engineering was influenced by the upturn in construction of roads and railways (of 3 %) as well as construction of water projects and construction of other civil engineering projects not elsewhere classified (24 %), the CSB said. A construction output decline was registered in construction of utility projects (of 4.6 %).
Compared to the 2nd quarter of 2019, in the 3rd quarter of 2019 construction output reduced by 0.6%, according to seasonally adjusted data at constant prices. Construction output decline was registered in construction of buildings (of 10.4 %), whereas in civil engineering and specialised construction activities there was a rise of 2.4 % and 1.7 %, respectively.
However it should be noted that Latvia's sometimes harsh climate plays a strong role in the cycle of construction work with much more activity in the warmer months of spring and summer than in the colder days of fall and winter.