30 June, 2000
Inquiries: Mr Erkki Lääkäri +358 9 1734 3355
Director in charge: Mr Markku Suur-Kujala
Growth of output slowed down in April
The volume of total output was 2.2 per cent greater in April 2000 than in April 1999. In March, output grew by 4.2 per cent from the previous year. The Monthly Indicator of Total Output of Statistics Finland indicates that output went up in all main industries of the national economy with the exception of agriculture and forestry, and transport.
Output in manufacturing continued to grow in spite of a strike in the wood and paper industry, where output fell by 15.5 per cent in April. Boosted by the electronics industry, output in all manufacturing went up by 4.7 per cent. In construction, output increased by 2 per cent in April.
The 1.5 per cent increase in the output of trade was due to a 7 per cent growth in retail trade. Against this, output in the sale of motor vehicles and wholesale trade fell.
Output in agriculture and forestry fell by 9 per cent as commercial fellings contracted by over 10 per cent and meat production declined by more than 15 per cent. Output in transport decreased by 2 per cent. Other services and public services increased by 2 per cent.
The Monthly Indicator of Total Output is based on thirteen monthly series on different sectors of the economy. The series are summed up by weighting.
Source: Monthly Indicator of Total Output 2000, April. Statistics Finland