Zagreb, 15 January 2025 (Hina/MIA) — In November 2024, Croatia recorded the largest decline in industrial production in the EU, a drop significantly greater than the average, according to Eurostat data released on Wednesday.

In the euro area, industrial production decreased by 1.9% in November compared to the same month in 2023, while in the EU it fell by 1.7%. In October, industrial production declined by 1.1% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU.

The largest annual decline in November across both areas was seen in the production of capital goods, by 2.8% in the euro area and by 2.6% in the EU. The production of intermediate goods decreased by 2.6% in the euro area and by 1.9% in the EU.

Only the sector of non-durable consumer goods showed growth in the EU, rising by 0.1%.

Croatia experienced the steepest drop in industrial production on an annual basis in November 2024, by 6.6%. In October, it fell by 2%.

Following Croatia were Ireland and Austria, with production declines, in November of 5.6% and 5%, respectively.

The largest growth in production was recorded in Malta, by 13.5% compared to November 2023, followed by Belgium, with an 8.7% increase.

On a monthly basis, industrial production in the euro area rose by 0.2% in November, maintaining the same pace as in October. EU data showed a 0.1% increase in production in November, following a 0.4% rise in the previous month.

In the euro area, the production of durable consumer goods grew the most on a monthly basis in November, by 1.5%. In the EU, the energy sector recorded the highest growth, by 1.3%. Energy production in the euro area grew by 1.1% in November after falling by 1.3% in October.

The only sector to record a decline in the EU on a monthly basis was non-durable consumer goods, which fell by 0.1%, while in the euro area this sector grew by 0.1%.

On a monthly basis, the strongest growth in November was recorded in Belgium, by 8.7%, followed by Malta, where production rose by 7.1%.

The sharpest decline compared to October was observed in Ireland, with production falling by 5.8%, followed by Luxembourg and Portugal, with decreases of 3.9% and 3.4%, respectively.

In Croatia, industrial production in November fell by 2.4% compared to October, during which it also dropped by 2.4%.