The National Construction Index, calculated by IBGE in partnership with Caixa Econômica Federal, changed by 0.62% in March, and was 0.21 percentage points higher than the February index (0.41%). This result was affected by the salary readjustments which occurred in Bahia and in Rio de Janeiro, and is the highest since June last year. The index accumulated in the year is 1.30%. In the last twelve months, the change was 5.51%. In comparison with March 2006 (0.20%), the current index (0.62%) increased by 0.42 percentage points.

The national cost by square meter changed from R$ 574,85 (in February) to R$ 578,40, being R$ 334, 27 relative to material and R$ 244,13 to manpower. The part relative to material increased by 0.38%, that is, 0.11 percentage points below the change registered in February (0.49%). Manpower increased 0.66 percentage points, having changed from 0.29% (February) to 0.95% (March).

In terms of rates accumulated in the year, there were the following changes: 1.18% (material) and 1.46% (manpower). In the last 12 months, the changes were: 4.18% (material) and 7.37% (manpower).

Northeast and Southeast Regions were the highlights

In March, the highest indexes by area were the ones in the Northeast (1.11%) and Southeast (0.62%). These results were influenced by the contributions of Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, respectively.

The other changes by area were below the national index (0.62%): South and Central West (0.26%) and North (0.14%). The Northeast Region also had the highest accumulated rates in the year (2.17%) and in twelve months (6.79%). The costs by area were: R$ 615,89 (Southeast); R$ 571,55 (South); R$ 563,89 (North); R$ 547,30 (Central West) and R$ 541,19 (Northeast).

Rio de Janeiro and Bahia, with very similar changes, had the biggest rises in March

Due to the salary readjustments of the professional categories of construction, the state of Rio de Janeiro registered the highest monthly index (2.85%), followed closely by Bahia (2.84%). The lowest changes occurred in Roraima (0.04%), Amazonas and Federal District (0.08%), and Pará (0.09%).

Piauí had the highest index accumulated in the year (4.15%); Amapá had the highest index accumulated in twelve months (9.16%).

MARCH/2007

SOURCE: IBGE, Diretoria de Pesquisas, Coordenação de Índices de Preços.
NOTE: These results are calculated monthly by IBGE, in partnership with CAIXA – Caixa Econômica Federal.