Home > Statistics > Building and dwelling production > 2020 > October > Cubic volume of granted building permits decreased further year-on-year

Published: 22 December 2020

Cubic volume of granted building permits decreased further year-on-year

According to Statistics Finland, in August to October 2020, building permits were granted for a total of 9.1 million cubic metres, 5.4 per cent less than one year ago. During this period, the cubic volume granted for residential building construction increased by 15.8 per cent and the cubic volume granted for other than residential building construction, in turn, decreased by 14.4 per cent. The decrease in the cubic volume of building permits was mainly due to the 34.8 per cent drop in construction of commercial and office buildings compared to last year.

Granted building permits and building starts, mil. m3, moving annual total

Good growth in cubic volume granted for residential building construction

In August to October, building permits for residential building construction were granted for a total of 3.3 million cubic metres, 15.8 per cent more than one year earlier. During this period, clearly more building permits were granted for blocks of flats than one year earlier, measured by cubic volume the growth amounted to 41.1 per cent. Several building permits were granted for blocks of flats projects with at least 12 storeys in August to October, which in part also had an effect on the growth in the number of dwellings. The cubic volume of detached and semi-detached houses decreased by 14.5 per cent from the previous year.

Building permits were granted for a total of 11,502 dwellings in August to October. The figure was 26.1 per cent higher than one year previously. At the same time, construction of a total of 12,847 dwellings was started and 11,340 dwellings were completed.

Volume of building production decreased

In August to September, the constant-price value or the volume of ongoing building production decreased by 6.8 per cent year-on-year. The volume of residential building construction decreased by 6.3 per cent and that of other than residential building construction by 7.1 per cent. At the same time, building projects totalling 11.0 million cubic metres were started, 4.1 per cent less than one year earlier. The number of residential building starts was 7.0 per cent higher than one year ago.

Volume index of newbuilding 2015=100, trend

Preliminary data for November

For the time being, Statistics Finland publishes preliminary data on building projects started. This time series is available from 2018 onwards.

According to preliminary data, the moving annual total of building projects started grew in November by 0.8 per cent compared to October. As a result of the strong early part of the year and the starts in autumn, the moving annual total of the volume grew by 5.3 per cent in November from one year ago.

 

Preliminary registered starts, mil. m3, moving annual total

The figures are not comparable with the estimated starts given in the publications. Preliminary data are based on registered starts and their values are not supplemented from the first publication.

Source: Building and dwelling production, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Kalle Laukkanen 029 551 3017, Merja Järvinen 029 551 2458, Petri Kettunen 029 551 3558, rakennus.suhdanne@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Hannele Orjala

Publication in pdf-format (235.3 kB)

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Building production, three month total and year-on-year change (22.12.2020)
• Appendix table 2. Preliminary registered starts, moving annual total and month-on-month change (22.12.2020)

Revisions in these statistics

• Revisions in these statistics (22.12.2020)

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Updated 22.12.2020