The Eurozone is slipping deeper into recession, with the construction sector taking a significant hit. Overregulation, misguided climate policies, and inflated rulebooks are pushing developers away, exacerbated by rent controls and similar measures. France and Germany are the primary drivers of this downturn, dragging the overall index down.
In contrast, countries like Italy are attempting to stimulate their economies with affordable credit programs and public funding. However, this strategy is proving costly, with national debts soaring. The Eurozone finds itself in a perilous debt spiral.
In July 2024, the Euro Area Construction PMI fell to 41.40 points from June's 41.80. Historically, the PMI averaged 47.97 points from 2013 to 2024, peaking at 57 in January 2018 and hitting a low of 15.10 in April 2020.