Construction in the 17 countries that then shared the euro fell in November for the third straight month, an indication that the currency area's recovery has yet to spread to all parts of the economy.
The European Union's statistics agency Friday said construction output fell by 0.6% from October, and 1.7% from November 2012. Output also fell in September and October, having been higher in the third quarter compared to the three months to June.
Eurostat said that, while work on civil engineering projects increased over the month, construction of residential and commercial buildings declined. Construction fell in Germany and Italy, but picked up in Spain and France.
The performance of the construction sector contrasts with other parts of the economy, which were much stronger in November. Industrial production rose at the fastest pace since May 2010, while retail sales increased at the fastest rate on record, and the currency area's trade surplus rose. Overall, the figures for November point to an expansion in the economy.
However, the decline in construction suggests that investment spending has yet to pick up strongly in the euro zone.
