Press Release 27/02/2009

CONSTRUCTION COSTS INDEX (ICCE) JANUARY 2009

Construction costs in the Basque Country rose 1.0% in January 2009 compared to the previous month

Over the last twelve months (January 2009 compared to January 2008) building costs recorded a 3.2% increase

Construction Costs Index increased by 1.0% in the Basque Country in January 2009 with respect to the previous month, which means that the year-on-year rate for that month stood at 3.2%, according to data facilitated by EUSTAT.

Changes in the year-on-year rate, 1997-2009

(*) The increase provided is that corresponding to the January interannual rate

Source: EUSTAT

In January 2009, labour costs increased by 2.0%, whereas raw material costs were up by 0.7%.

In January, the Building and Civil Works sub-sectors both performed in a similar way, with a 0.8% increase over the previous month in Building, while raw materials for Civil Works went up by 0.6%. There were notable difference between both sub-sectors during the year: Building raw material costs rose by 4.6%, whereas those for Civil Works accumulated a 0.9% decrease.



Amongst the prices of raw materials consumed by the sector that have experienced the highest inflation rates over the last twelve months are: Metallic and Non-metallic Minerals (9.1%), Water (7.4%), Furniture Production (6.5%) and Chemical Industry (4.4%). On the other hand, there was a decrease in the annual prices (January 2009 compared to January 2008) of Oil By-products (-27.7%) and Metallurgy (-0.5%).

Building Costs Index - Autonomous Community of the Basque Country / Data Development. January 2009

Source: EUSTAT

For further information:

Basque Statistics Office C/ Donostia-San Sebastián, 1 01010 Vitoria-Gasteiz Tlf:+34-945-01 75 00 Fax:+34-945-01 75 01 E-mail: eustat@eustat.es Contact: Gerardo Pérez Aja T el:+34-945-01 75 06 F ax:+34-945-01 75 01 Online press releases: www.eustat.es Databank: www.eustat.eus/bancopx/english/indice.aspx