Growth private sector investments turns into decline

In January 2012, the volume of private sector investments in tangible fixed assets was nearly 1 percent down on January 2011. The growth of private sector investments observed throughout 2011 turned into decline, but private sector investments are still clearly below the level prior to the 2008 credit crisis.

The small decline in January can be attributed largely to lower investments in the construction sector. This is partly due to the working-day pattern. There were fewer working days in the construction sector than in the previous year. Because the Christmas holiday for construction workers started later, there were more days-off in January. The loss of working days due to frost at the end of January was limited.

According to the March Investment Radar, there were improvements as well as downturns.

Private sector investments in tangible fixed assets (volume)

More figures can be found on the theme page Enterprises.