28 May, 1999

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

Output continued to grow briskly in March

Total output increased by 3.9 per cent in the year to March. When the effect of seasonal factors is removed, output in March was 0.3 per cent higher than in February. The Monthly Indicator of Total Output of Statistics Finland shows that output went up in all main branches of industry.

Output in agriculture and forestry increased due to an 11 per cent increase in commercial fellings. In manufacturing, output continued to be boosted by the manufacture of electrical equipment in which output increased by over 46 per cent in March. Growing domestic demand, particularly an increase in trade sales, also supported total economic growth. Output also increased in construction and transport.

In the year to March, output increased by 7.2 per cent in trade, 6.2 per cent in transport and 5 per cent in construction. Output in agriculture and forestry grew by 5.6 per cent. Output in manufacturing as calculated per working day grew by 3.3 per cent. Other services and government services grew by one 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: The Monthly Indicator of Total Output 1999, March. Statistics Finland.