Czech Construction Output Surges in May

Construction output in the Czech Republic rose by 5.8% year-on-year in March 2026, accelerating from a 4.1% increase in the previous month. This marked the second consecutive month of growth in construction activity, largely driven by a 10.8% increase (vs 7.8% in February) in building construction. On the other hand, activity in civil engineering construction (-5.8% vs -5.5%) declined at a faster pace due to a high comparison base. A total of 5,497 building permits were granted, up 13.4% year-on-year, driven by a higher number of permits for family houses, while the floor area of new building construction fell 17.2% due to fewer permitted multi-dwelling buildings. Meanwhile, construction of 2,979 dwellings started, down 5.5% from a year earlier. On a monthly basis, construction activity grew by 1% in March, following a 0.8% gain in February.

Construction output in the Czech Republic rose 4.1% year-on-year in February 2026, rebounding from a 1.5% decline in the previous month, driven by output in building construction, which climbed by 7.8%, reversing a 2% fall in January, while civil engineering declined by 5.5%, down from a modest 0.2% gain. Meanwhile, 4,676 building permits were granted, up 6.6% year-on-year, with the floor area of new constructions increasing by 20.1%. The number of dwellings started reached 3,923, rising 45.9% year-on-year, while completed dwellings totaled 3,222, up 20.8%. The increase in both starts and completions was mainly driven by multi-dwelling buildings. On a monthly basis, construction activity grew 0.8% in February, rebounding from a 0.8% drop in the preceding period.

Construction output in the Czech Republic fell by 1.5% year-on-year in January 2026, reversing an upwardly revised 6.9% growth in the previous month. This marked the first contraction since October 2024, as building construction output fell (-2% vs 4% in December 2025) and growth in civil engineering slowed (0.2% vs 12.4%). Meanwhile, 4,231 building permits were granted, up 0.7% year-on-year, with the floor area of new construction increasing by 27.6%. In addition, the number of dwellings started rose 14% year-on-year to 2,811, while the number of finished dwellings fell 22.5% to 2,341, mainly due to the category of family houses. On a monthly basis, construction activity dropped 0.8% in January.