European Production Down In December

Industrial production fell by 0.1% in Europe in December in both the euro area and the EU27 compared with November 2010. When December 2010 is compared with December 2009 industrial production increased by 8% in the euro area and 7.7% in the EU27. The average production index increased by 7.1% in the euro area and 6.7% in ther EU27 over the same period.

Looking at the main industrial production sectors in the monthly comparison energy grew by 2.4% in the euro area and 1.7% in EU27. Non-durables fell by 0.3% in the euro area and 0.2% in EU27 and durables decreased by 1% and 0.1% respectively. Intermediate goods fell by 1.3% in both areas. The annual comparison shows that capital goods grew by 14.8% in the euro area and 14.5% in the EU27 while intermediate goods grew by 7.8% and 7.9% respectively. Energy increased by 5.8% in the euro area and 3.8% in EU27. Non-durables grew by 1.9% in the euro area and 2.5% in EU27 and durables by 2.1% and 1.8% respectively.