30 April, 1998

Inquiries: Mr Erkki Lääkäri + 358 9 1734 3355
Statistical Director in charge: Mr Markku Suur-Kujala

Brisk growth in output continued in February

Total output increased by 5.9 per cent in the year to February. Statistics Finland's Monthly Indicator of Total Output shows that output went up in all main sections of industry. Growth was especially accelerated by the nearly 14 per cent increase in output in the metal industry as calculated per working day. In addition to exports, growth was also sustained by domestic demand, manifesting itself as output increases in construction, trade and commerce and transportation.

Output in all manufacturing as calculated per working day grew by 8.8 per cent in the year to February. Construction also continued brisk. Its output increased by 19 per cent. Output in transportation went up by 6.6 per cent and in trade and commerce by 3.3 per cent from the previous year. Other services and government services increased by 1.7 per cent. Output in agriculture and forestry grew by 2.2 per cent in the year to February.

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

Source: The Monthly Indicator of Total Output 1998, February. Statistics Finland