According to national statistical office data issued this past Monday, the construction work volume in December 2014 increased 1.5% compared to November, however, it tumbled by 5% compared to December 2013, as shown by the working-day adjusted statistics.
Construction shrank in all the four quarters in 2014: -7.3% in Q1 and Q2 each, -7.6% in Q3 and -4.2% in Q4.
This sector was adversely affected by the reduced investment activity of the public sector.
The sector has been battered by the long crisis, and the construction work volume in 2014 was lower by a double digit percentage compared to 2008.
Of other EU members, Portugal, Italy and Romania fared worse in 2014, with construction contractions of -9%, -7% and -6.7% last year.
However, the best performers were Slovenia (+19.4%), Spain (17.4%), Lithuania (+16.8%) and Hungary (+14.3%).
The EU, on the aggregate level, saw a rise of 3%.