Total output fell by 1.4 per cent in September from one year ago

The volume of total output was 1.4 per cent smaller in September 2001 than in September 2000. Output fell in four of the six main industries, i.e. primary production, manufacturing, construction and transport, included in the Monthly Indicator of Total Output calculated by Statistics Finland. The industry of public services and other services grew, while output in trade was on the same level as in last year's September. According to the Monthly Indicator, total output has increased in all by 1.1 per cent during the January to September period this year compared to the corresponding months last year.

Industrial output went down by over 3 per cent in September. Output in the manufacture of electrical products increased by 3 per cent, but in the wood and paper industry output fell by 10 per cent.

Output in agriculture and forestry fell by 17 per cent in September because fellings decreased by 22 per cent. Output in the transport industry contracted by good one per cent, which was especially due to reduced railway transport. Construction diminished by 4 per cent.

Output in trade was on level with last year's September. Within trade, retail trade grew by 3 per cent and wholesale trade by good one per cent. Car sales went down by 7 per cent. Output in other services and public services rose by slightly under 2 per cent.

From February to June total output kept falling in comparison to the previous month. In July the fall of total output halted. In August and September total output grew again compared to the previous month. The volume of total output was 39 per cent higher in September this year than at the depth of the recession in March 1993.

The Monthly Indicator of Total Output is based on twelve monthly series on different sectors of the economy. The series are summed up by weighting.

Source: Monthly Indicator of Total Output 2001, September. Statistics Finland