In spite of the global crisis, which is impacting on Romania, the constructions sector registered a 27-percent year-on-year growth in September 2008, Business Standard reported.

Slovenia ranks second, with a 19.4-percent growth, followed by Bulgaria (17.7%) and Slovakia (17.3%).

On the other hand, Spain registered the most severe decline, 24.1% year on year. In Sweden, the constructions market shrunk by 19.8%.

Of the total 27 European Union members, Eurostat only had data for 13 countries. Eight of them registered growth in construction, while the sector declined in the remaining five.

Overall, the constructions sector registered a 3.8-percent decline in EU, the same as in the euro area.

However, Romania ranks fifth in the EU in terms of month-on-month growth in construction, with a 2.7-percent advance, equal to that of the Netherlands. Slovakia tops this ranking, with a 7.2-percent growth compared to August 2008, followed by Portugal, with 6.8%.

Severe monthly decline was registered in Britain (8.5%) and Spain (7.8%).