Press Release 29/05/2009

CONSTRUCTION COSTS INDEX (ICCE) APRIL 2009

Construction costs in the Basque Country fell by 0.5% in April 2009 compared to the previous month

Over the last twelve months (April 2009 compared to April 2008), construction costs have fallen by 0.1%

The Construction Costs Index posted a 0.5% decrease in the Basque Country in April 2009 with respect to the previous month which meant that the year-on-year rate for that month fell by 0.1%, according to data facilitated by EUSTAT.

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

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

Source: EUSTAT

In April 2009, labour costs remained unchanged (0.0%), whereas raw material costs decreased by 0.6%.

In April, the cost of the raw materials in the Building and Civil Works sub-sectors both performed in a similar way, with a 0.7% fall compared to the previous month posted by Building, while raw materials for Civil Works were down by 0.3%. There were notable differences between both sub-sectors during the year: Building raw material costs rose by 0.7%, whereas those for Civil Works accumulated a 6.2% decrease.



Amongst the prices of raw materials consumed by the sector that experienced the highest inflation rates over the last twelve months were: Water (7.4%), Furniture Production (4.6%), Non-metallic Minerals (4.3%) and Electronic Equipment (3.6%). On the other hand, the annual prices (April 2009 compared to April 2008) of raw materials decreased in the following sectors: Oil By-products (-33.2%), Metallurgy (-17.3%), Electronic Equipment (-2.4%), Electrical Equipment (-2%3) and Energy, Electricity and Gas (-0.7%).

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 Tel:+34-945-01 75 06 Fax:+34-945-01 75 01 Online press releases: www.eustat.es Databank: www.eustat.eus/bancopx/english/indice.aspx