In the previous month, construction output had increased by 0.9% and employment and wage rates rose by 1.9% and 1.2%.

According to INE, the civil engineering segment contributed the most to the acceleration of the total index in July, from a year-on-year rise of 0.8% in June to 2.4% in July.

The building construction index increased by 1.2% year-on-year (1.0% in the previous period).

In July, the employment index in the construction sector maintained a year-on-year growth rate of 1.9%, which it had already registered in June. Compared to the previous month, it posted a rise of 0.2%, similar to that seen in July 2016.

The remuneration index for teh construction sector, rose by 3.3% on year (1.2% in June) and 6.3% against the previous month (4.1% in July 2016).