In December, the seasonally adjusted confidence indicator in construction remained at the level of the previous month (-14,5), when the unfavourable evaluation of the overall level of orders was eliminated by the favourable development of the expected employment. The current result is above the long-term average by 9,5 points.

Compared with the situation in the previous month, the indicator of the building activity trend over the past three months remained unchanged at the value of -5.  A decrease of the construction activity was recorded by 20 % of respondents, its increase by 12 % of respondents, and 68 % of enterprises considered it to be unchanged.

Compared with November the evaluation of the current level of overall order books  deteriorated by 6 points to -29, mainly due to enterprises performing construction of buildings. 35 % of respondents consider them to be insufficient, 61 % to be sufficient and for 4 % respondents the current level of orders was more than sufficient. 32 % of respondents included shortage of employees, 32 % weather conditions, 31 % insufficient demand, 29 % financial constraints and 20 % lack of materials and mechanisms 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 seasonality. 17 % 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, dropped by 6 points to 0. Over the next three months, 9 % of respondents expect an increase of employment, 65 % expect a stable development and 26 % of enterprises expect a decrease.

Compared with November, the business balance of the expected construction production prices over the next three months decreased by 8 points to 34, mainly due to enterprises perfoming construction of buildings. A decrease in the price level of their own products is expected by 17 % of respondents, 38 % do not consider any price changes and 45 % assume their increase.