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

Published: 21 July 2020

Cubic volume of granted building permits decreased

According to Statistics Finland, in March to May 2020, building permits were granted for a total of 8.8 million cubic metres, 27.6 per cent less than one year ago. The cubic volume granted for residential building construction went down by 13.7 per cent and the cubic volume granted for other than residential building construction by 32.7 per cent. The cubic volume for all building types decreased from one year ago, most the cubic volume granted for construction of public service buildings, by 41.6 per cent.

Due to circumstances related to the coronavirus situation and the start of the summer holiday season, the municipality-specific delay in building permit notifications has been somewhat longer than usual. The data are supplemented only as a result of the notification.

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

Cubic volume granted for residential building decreased

During March to May, building permits for residential building construction were granted for a total of 2.8 million cubic metres, the corresponding figure was 3.3 million cubic metres one year earlier. The cubic volume granted for blocks of flats diminished by 14.4 per cent and that for detached houses by 10.5 per cent from one year ago.

In March to May, building permits were granted for a total of 8,883 dwellings, down by 15.8 per cent year-on-year. At the same time, construction of a total of 11,730 dwellings was started, up by 11.8 per cent from the corresponding period of the year before.

Volume of building production increased

During March to May, the constant-price value or the volume of ongoing building production increased by 2.3 per cent year-on-year. The volume of construction of residential buildings declined by 2.8 per cent, while that of other than residential building construction increased by 6.4 per cent in the period. Measured by volume, 4.9 per cent more building projects than one year earlier were started in the same period. The number of residential building starts was 11.8 per cent higher than one year ago.

Volume index of newbuilding 2015=100, trend

Preliminary data for June

For the time being, Statistics Finland publishes preliminary data on building projects started. This time series is available from 2018 onwards.

According to preliminary data, the moving annual total of building projects started decreased in June compared to May.

The moving annual total of the volume of building projects started fell by 0.8 per cent in June from May. Thanks to the strong early part of the year, the moving annual total was, however, 0.9 per cent higher than in the corresponding period of the year before.  

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: Kalle Laukkanen 029 551 3017, Paavo Kokkonen 029 551 3028, Petri Kettunen 029 551 3558, rakennus.suhdanne@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mari Ylä-Jarkko

Publication in pdf-format (235.3 kB)

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Building production, three month total and year-on-year change (21.7.2020)
• Appendix table 2. Preliminary registered starts, m3, moving annual total and month-on-month change (21.7.2020)

Revisions in these statistics

• Revisions in these statistics (21.7.2020)

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Updated 21.7.2020