Czech construction slowed decline in January

Czech construction production slowed its decline in January but was still down 5.2 percent year-on-year. In December last year, the drop in annual terms was 11.4 percent, according to revised Czech Statistical Office data.

Building construction, which includes the construction of houses, offices and warehouses, was hardest hit. Road construction, on the other hand, increased, the office announced on Friday.

The construction industry drop was affected by worse weather and the high comparison base from last year, before anti-coronavirus measures were introduced.

Analysts polled by ČTK say big companies in particular have enough orders, but the field lacks workers, especially foreign ones. For 2021, they expect a 5-6 percent decline in construction.