In January compared with the previous month, the seasonally adjusted confidence indicator in construction remained at the level of the previous month (-47,5) when the unfavourable development of evaluations of the expected employment was eliminated by the favourable development of the overall level of orders. The current result is below the long-term average by 23,5 points.

Compared with the situation in the previous month, the indicator of the building activity trend over the past three months improved by 6 points to -18 mainly due to enterprises performing construction of buildings. An increase of the construction activity was recorded by 5 % of respondents, its decrease by 33 % of respondents, and 62 % of enterprises considered it to be unchanged. Compared with December, the evaluation of the current level of overall order books improved by 3 points to -68. 0 % of respondents consider them to be more than sufficient, 32 % to be sufficient and for 68 % respondents the current level of orders was insufficient. 39 % of respondents included financial constraints, 38 % insuffient demand, 31 % weather conditions, 20 % shortage of employees and 12 % lack of materials and mechanisms into the most significant factors limiting a growth of construction production currently. Respondents also report: restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic and their negative impact on the economy, seasonality and competition. 11 % of enterprises do not see any barriers of growth currently. Expectations of respondents in estimation of the employment development deteriorated month-on-month, the business balance of the expected number of employees, dropped by 3 points to -27.  Over the next three months, 38 % of respondents expect a decrease of employment, 58 % expect a stable development and 4 % of enterprises expect an increase. Compared with December, the business balance of the expected construction production prices over the next three months decreased by 13 points to -15, mainly due to enterprises performing construction of buildings. A decrease in the price level of their own production is expected by 19 % of respondents, 76 % do not consider any price changes and 5 % assume their increase.

Based on orders, companies have reserved work for 8,8 months, on average. By size categories, work is ensured mainly in enterprises employing 500 and more people (12,9 months) and in terms of production specification, in enterprises employing civil engineering works (11,1 months). In territorial terms, the respodents confirmed the most works upon contract, the the region of Bratislava (11,3 months), the lowest in Prešov (4,5 months) and Trnava (3,5 months).