Figures show a worrying reality

Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) shows a significant decrease in the number of building permits for residential construction in the first ten months of 2023. The figures show a 22.2% reduction compared to the same period in 2022.

Between 1 January and 31 October 2023, 29,396 construction permits for residential buildings were issued. All development regions recorded negative results, with Bucharest-Ilfov, South-Muntenia and North-West leading in the ranking of decreases, shows INS. 

Compared to the same period last year, the number of building permits decreased by 8.8% and the total usable floor area decreased by 23.4%.

Analysis by region shows South-West Oltenia, South-East and West as the most affected by this downward trend, while the Centre and North-East recorded increases.

The decrease also affects non-residential construction, where the number of building permits declined by 16.3% and the total floor area decreased by 6.1%.

Despite this negative trend, INS data also show increases in the Centre, North-West, South-West Oltenia and South-East regions in terms of usable floor area for non-residential building permits.

With respect to October 2023, there was a decrease of 2.6% in the number of building permits for residential buildings, but the total usable floor area increased by 9.7%. Approximately 70.4% of these permits were issued for rural areas.