Home > Statistics > Building and dwelling production > 2020 > February > Cubic volume of granted building permits decreased

Published: 28 April 2020

Cubic volume of granted building permits decreased

According to Statistics Finland, in December to February, building permits were granted for a total of 6.4 million cubic metres, which was 30.0 per cent less than one year ago. The cubic volume of residential building went down by 23.5 per cent and other than residential building 32.6 per cent. The cubic volume decreased most in cubic volume covered by permits for the construction of public service buildings and industrial and warehouse buildings. The cubic volume granted only for construction of commercial and office buildings increased from one year back.

The low cubic volume in the examination period is particularly explained by low cubic volumes in December to January compared to one year back.

Granted building permits and building starts, mil. m3, moving annual total

Cubic volume granted for residential building decreased

During December to February, building permits for residential building were granted for a total of 2.0 million cubic metres, while the corresponding figure was 2.6 million cubic metres one year earlier. In residential building the cubic volume of blocks of flats diminished by 31.3 per cent and that of detached houses by 4.8 per cent from one year ago.

The fall in the share of residential building from the cubic volume of building permits granted seems to have stopped and even turned to a small growth in the early part of the year. At the beginning of 2018, its share was over 35 per cent and now around 28 per cent of all construction.

In December to February, building permits were granted for a total of 7,054 dwellings, down by 22.0 per cent year-on-year. The number for the corresponding period last year was 9,049 dwellings.

Volume of building production decreased further

In December to February, the constant-price value or the volume of ongoing building production decreased by 2.6 per cent year-on-year. Measured by volume, 20.4 per cent more building projects than one year earlier were started in the same period. The number of residential building starts was as much as 40.3 per cent higher than one year ago.

Volume index of newbuilding 2015=100, trend

Preliminary data for March

Our aim is to provide information and understanding by anticipating phenomena and needs. Because of the current exceptional situation, we publish preliminary data on building projects started in March and the corresponding time series from 2018.

According to preliminary data, the moving annual total of building projects started grew in March by 2.4 per cent from February. Correspondingly, growth in February was 1.0 per cent from January. The effect of corona is not yet visible in building projects started.

Preliminary registered starts, mil. m3, moving annual total

The figures are not comparable with the estimated starts given in the publications. Preliminary data are based on registered starts and their values are not supplemented from the first publication

Source: Building and dwelling production, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Paavo Kokkonen 029 551 3028, Petri Kettunen 029 551 3558, Merja Järvinen 029 551 2458, rakennus.suhdanne@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mari Ylä-Jarkko

Publication in pdf-format (234.3 kB)

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Building production, three month total and year-on-year change (28.4.2020)
• Appendix table 2. Preliminary registered starts, mil. m3, moving annual total (28.4.2020)

Revisions in these statistics

• Revisions in these statistics (28.4.2020)

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Updated 28.4.2020