In September, the seasonally adjusted confidence indicator in construction rose by 7,5 points to -13,5 compared to the previous month, due to more favorable evaluations of the overall level of orders and the expected employment. The current result is above the long-term average by 10,5 points.
Compared with the situation in the previous month, the indicator of the building activity trend over the past three months deteriorated by 3 points to -1. A decrease of the construction activity was recorded by 10 % of respondents, its increase by 23 % of respondents, and 67 % of enterprises considered it to be unchanged. Compared with August, the evaluation of the current level of overall order books improved by 9 points to -28, mainly due to enterpirses performing construction of buildings. 2 % of respondents consider them to be more than sufficient, 72 % to be sufficient and for 26 % respondents the current level of orders was insufficient. 31 % of respondents included shortage of employees, 31 % financial constraints, 28 % insuffcient demand, 18 % lack of materials and mechanisms and 15 % weather conditions into the most significant factors limiting a growth of construction production currently. Respondents also report: a significant increase in the prices of building materials and a reduced demand associated with it, measures related to the coronavirus pandemic and a lack of qualified staff. 23 % of enterprises do not see any barriers of growth currently. Expectations of respondents in estimation of the employment development improved month-on-month, the business balance of the expected number of employees, rose by 6 points to 1. Over the next three months, 14 % of respondents expect an increase of employment, 74 % expect a stable development and 12 % of enterprises expect a decrease. Compared with August, the business balance of the expected construction production prices over the next three months increased by 14 points to 35, mainly due to enterpirses performing construction of buildings and civil engineering works. An increase in the price level of their own products is expected by 40 % of respondents, 56 % do not consider any price changes and 4 % assume their decrease.