Industrial output fell by 0.3 per cent in December 2002 from November

According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output went down by 0.3 per cent in December 2002 from November. In November seasonally adjusted output increased by 1 per cent from October.

Seasonally adjusted change in the volume of industrial output from
the previous month, %

Industrial output grew by 2 per cent in 2002

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, seasonally adjusted industrial output went up by 2 per cent last year from the previous year. Compared to the preceding ten-year period, the growth in 2002 can be considered modest. Furthermore, output fell by 1 per cent in the reference period, i.e. in 2001.

Year-on-year change in industrial output 1992-2002, %

Industrial output up by 8.1 per cent in December 2002 from the previous year

In December 2002, seasonally adjusted industrial output was 8.1 per cent higher than in December 2001. Output increased in the manufacture of electrical products and energy supply by good 20 per cent. Output in the wood and paper industry rose by nearly 10 per cent. Output in the rest of metal industry fell by good 3 per cent from the year before.

Seasonally adjusted change in the volume of industrial output from the corresponding time period of the previous year, %

Seasonally adjusted change in the volume of industrial output 12/2001-12/2002, %

Capacity utilisation rate in manufacturing was good 78 per cent in December, which is over 1 percentage point more than in December 2001. In the pulp and paper industry, capacity utilisation rate was 82 per cent, in the metal industry 80 per cent and in the chemical industry 73 per cent. Capacity utilisation rate in other manufacturing was 74 per cent.

Revised data for December 2002 will be published on 28 February 2003 at 8 am in connection with the industrial output data for January. Because of the method used, seasonally adjusted figures for previous months may change even if the original figures have not been revised.

Source: Volume Index of Industrial Output 2002, December. Statistics Finland
StatFin statistical service at: statfin.stat.fi