30 June 2004
Inquiries: Mr Kari Rautio +358 9 1734
2479, kari.rautio@stat.fi
Director in charge: Mr Ilkka Hyppönen
Industrial output grew by as much as 5.6 per cent in May from April
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output was 5.6 per cent higher in May than in April. The growth rate of industrial output accelerated in May. Monthly growth was last this high four years ago in May 2000.
Seasonally adjusted change from previous month in the volume of industrial output, %
Industrial output grew by 7 per cent this May from May 2003
In May 2004, seasonally adjusted industrial output grew by 7 per cent from May 2003. Output increased most, by as much as 19.4 per cent, in the manufacture of electronic and electrical equipment. This sped up output in the whole metal industry, which grew by 12.2 per cent. In the wood and paper industry, output went up by 3.2 per cent. In the main branches of industry output did not fall in May.
Seasonally adjusted change in the volume of industrial output 05/2003-05/2004, %
Seasonally adjusted change in the volume of industrial output from the corresponding time period of the previous year, %
Capacity utilisation rate in manufacturing was 86 per cent in May 2004, which is 1.5 percentage points higher than in May 2003. In the pulp and paper industry capacity utilisation rate was 94 per cent, in the metal industry 87 per cent and in the chemical industry 79 per cent. Capacity utilisation rate in other manufacturing was 81 per cent.
Revised data for May will be published on 31 July 2004 at 8 am in connection with the industrial output data for June. Because of the method used, seasonally adjusted figures for previous months may change even if the original figures do not become revised.
Source: Volume Index of Industrial Output 2004,
May. Statistics Finland
StatFin statistical service at: statfin.stat.fi