30 June, 1998

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

Fast growth in output continued in April

Total output went up by 5.8 per cent in the year to April. Growth in output slowed down slightly, but it was due to the fact that Easter was in April this year. The Monthly Indicator of Total Output of Statistics Finland shows that output grew in all main sections of industry, with the exception of agriculture and forestry. Apart from manufacturing, growth was sustained by output increases in trade and construction.

Output in manufacturing as calculated per working day grew by 10.5 per cent in the year to April. Output went up by 5.6 per cent in construction and by 5.5 per cent in trade. Output in transport increased by 2.5 per cent. Other services and government services went up by 1.7 per cent. Output in agriculture and forestry went down by 1.7 per cent on the previous year.

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, April 1998. Statistics Finland