The National Index of Construction, calculated by IBGE in partnership with Caixa Econômica Federal, changed by 0.90% in May and increased 0.49 percentage points in relation to April (0.41%). This result was affected by the salary readjustments which occurred in several states. The index accumulated in the year was 2.62% and, in the last twelve months, 5.17%. In comparison with May 2006 (1.20%), the current index was below 0.30 percentage points.

The national cost by square meter changed by R$ 580,75, in April, to R$ 585,96, in May, being R$ 335,94 relative to material and R$ 250,02 relative to manpower.

Material changed by 0.13% in May, versus 0.36% in April. Manpower increased by 1,48 percentage points, having changed from 0.46%, in April, to 1.94%, in May. The indexes accumulated in the year were: 1.68% (material) and 3.91% (manpower). In the last twelve months, they were: 4.40% (material) and 6.24% (manpower).

Southeast has the highest index by Region

The Southeast had the highest index by Region (1.19%) in May, mainly due to the contributions from Espírito Santo (2.75%) and São Paulo (1.68%). The South Region was also above average, with index change of 0.94% in May.

The other changes by Region were below the national level: Central West (0.69%), Northeast (0.66%) and North (0.27%).

The highest indexes accumulated in the year (4.06%) and in the last twelve months (6.88%) were registered in the Northeast Region .

The cost by Region were: R$ 624.10 (Southeast), R$ 577.28 (South), R$ 567.12 (North), R$ 551,89 (Central West) and R$ 551.16 (Northeast).

Sergipe and Santa Catarina had the highest increases among the states

Due to the readjustments of the professional categories of construction, the state of Sergipe had the highest monthly index (4.25%), having been followed by Santa Catarina (3.01%).

For the same reason, other states also had high indexes: Espírito Santo (2.75%); Alagoas (2.31%); São Paulo (1.68%) and Federal District (1.64%).

Ceará had the highest indexes accumulated in the year (6.34%) and in twelve months (8.85%).

MAY/ 07

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.