The Italian construction market is not recovering. Indeed, in 2013 the crisis worsened further, with a drop in investments of 6,9%, against the -5,6% expected in June. Job losses (-10,4%) were the worst among those recorded in the various economic sectors. The alarm was sounded by the National Association of Building Builders (Ance), which today released data from the Economic Observatory on the construction industry.
From 12.600 to the third quarter of 2009, there were approximately 2013 bankruptcies, 23% of the approximately 55.200 registered in the various sectors as a whole. Furthermore, since the beginning of the crisis, construction has lost 480 employees, for a drop of 23,8%. Also considering the sectors connected to construction, a loss of around 745 jobs is estimated.
As for the forecasts for 2014, the Association estimates a further drop in investments, albeit slighter than that recorded this year (-2,5%).
Lastly, according to Ance, the concession of a European flexibility for investments equal to 0,3% of GDP, to be translated into a relaxation of the internal stability pact, could allow an additional five billion euro to be invested in infrastructure in 2014, using resources already available in the coffers of Municipalities and Provinces. The builders believe that these funds would have positive effects on the entire national economy (+16,9 billion euros) and on employment (+85 jobs).
