IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Manufacturing production increased by 1,2% in March 2019 compared with March 2018. The largest positive contributions were made by the following divisions:

• petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (7,0% and contributing 1,5 percentage points);
• basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (3,2% and contributing 0,7 of a percentage point); and
• food and beverages (1,0% and contributing 0,3 of a percentage point).

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production increased by 0,8% in March 2019 compared with February 2019. This followed month-on-month changes of -2,0% in February 2019 and -1,6% in January 2019.

Seasonally adjusted manufacturing production decreased by 2,4% in the first quarter of 2019 compared with the fourth quarter of 2018. Seven of the ten manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates over this period.

The largest negative contributions were made by the following divisions:

• petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (-3,8% and contributing -0,9 of a percentage point);
• motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment (-6,0% and contributing -0,5 of a percentage point); and
• wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing (-3,6% and contributing -0,4 of a percentage point).