BRUSSELS, June 19 (UPI) -- Construction spending rose modestly in the eurozone from March to April, the European Union's statistical office Eurostat said Wednesday.
Spending rose 2 percent in the 17-member currency region and 0.9 percent in the 27-member European Union, Eurostat said.
With the economy in a prolonged recession in Europe, construction spending had been on a five-month decline. In March, in a revised estimate, Eurostat said construction fell 1.8 percent in the eurozone and 1.3 percent in the EU.
Figures for April are considered an advanced estimate that are subject to revision. Data from only 15 of 27 member countries was included in Wednesday's report. Of the 15, construction spending rose in eight and fell in seven, Eurostat said.
Spending on construction increased the most in Germany, Portugal and Italy, with outlays up 6.7 percent, 5.9 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively.
The largest declines among the 15 states were reported by Poland, Romania and Spain, off 5.2 percent, 3.7 percent and 3.1 percent.
