The National Institute of Statistics (INS) has reported a decrease in the number of building permits issued for residential buildings in the first semester of 2024. A total of 16,925 permits were granted, marking a 1.3 percent decline compared to the same period in 2023.
The data reveals a mixed regional performance across the country. Significant declines were noted in the Center region (-281 permits), North-West (-224), and South-East (-38). Conversely, increases were observed in Bucharest-Ilfov (+141 permits), West (+88), South-Muntenia (+46), South-West Oltenia (+39), and North-East (+14).
The month of June 2024 saw 2,875 residential building permits issued, reflecting a 5.7 percent decrease from May 2024. The total usable area of these permits also saw a notable decline of 10.4 percent, amounting to 625,690 square meters. Notably, 70.7 percent of the permits issued in June were for rural areas.
This trend indicates a potential shift in the residential construction landscape, with varying impacts across different regions of Romania.