31 March, 1999

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

Growth in output faster in January

Total output increased by 4.7 per cent in the year to January. Growth accelerated clearly from last year's December, when output grew by 1.7 per cent. The Monthly Indicator of Total Output of Statistics Finland shows that output went up in all main branches of industry, with the exception of agriculture and forestry.

In manufacturing, output was further sustained by the manufacture of electrical equipment, which increased by almost 50 per cent from January 1998. Total economic growth was supported by an increase in the output of construction, trade and transport.

Output in all manufacturing as calculated per working day grew by 7.6 per cent in the year to January. Output grew by 6.5 per cent in construction, by 4.3 per cent in transport and by 4.2 per cent in trade. Other services and government services increased by one per cent. In contrast, output in agriculture and forestry decreased by close on one per cent.

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

Source: The Monthly Indicator of Total Output 1999, January. Statistics Finland.