The Construction Price Index, calculated by the IBGE in partnership with Caixa Econômica Federal, varied 1.07% in August, increasing 0.13 percentage point compared to July (0.94%). This result remained close to the one registered in August 2003 (1.02%).

The year's accrued rate was of 7.07% and for the last twelve months it was of 9.76%. Both indicators were lower than those registered in the same periods of 2003 (11.51% and 19.37%, respectively). The national cost per square meter went to R$ 489.92. Of this, R$ 283.90 were related to materials and R$ 206.02 to labor.

The share of materials varied 1.83%, in other words, 0.82 percentage points greater than the rate for July (1.01%). On the other hand, labor remained practically stable, fluctuating 0.03%, which represented a decrease of 0.82 percentage point compared to July (0.85%).

The accrued indicators for the year and the last twelve months were: in the year, materials with 8.45% and labor with 5.21%; in twelve months, 10.58% and 8.65%.

Southeast and Northeast regions registered the greatest increases

The construction cost increased more in the Southeast (1.19%) and Northeast (1.17%) regions. These regions, along with the South (1.09%) remained above the national average.

The Midwest region registered the greatest index in the year (7.70%), being followed by the Southeast and South regions with rates of 7.21% and 7.20%, respectively. In twelve months, the Midwest (10.60%) was also noteworthy.

The lowest results were observed in the North, which accrued variations of 5.28% in the year and 8.50% in twelve months. The regional costs were of: R$ 527.99 (Southeast); R$ 497.06 (South); R$ 474.58 (Midwest); R$ 465.92 (North) and R$ 441.67 (Northeast).

Pernambuco registered the highest index among states

The construction cost increased 1.63% in Pernambuco, with Rio Grande do Sul (1.38%), Minas Gerais (1.37%), Paraíba (1.33%), Bahia (1.25%) and São Paulo (1.20%) also being noted among the highest variations.

The state of Roraima registered the lowest index (0.15%) between July and August. The highest accrued indexes in the year and in twelve months were, respectively: 9.19% in Bahia and 15.12% in Mato Grosso.

SOURCE: IBGE/DPE/COINP