29 May, 1998

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

Accelerated growth in output in March

Total output increased by 8 per cent in the year to March. The Monthly Indicator of Total Output of Statistics Finland shows that output grew briskly in all main sections of industry.

In addition to exports, growth was also sustained by lively domestic demand. Output in construction went up by 20 per cent. Car sales increased briskly, too, and were up by more than 30 per cent on last year's March.

In the year to March, output in trade and commerce increased by 11.5 per cent and that of transportation by 11 per cent. Output went up by 9.5 per cent in manufacturing as calculated by working day and by 9.3 per cent in agriculture and forestry. Other services and government services grew by 1.7 per cent.

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: Monthly Indicator of Total Output 1998, March. Statistics Finland