The National Index of Construction, which is calculated by IBGE in partnership with CAIXA, changed by 0.76% in March. It increased 0.33 percentage points in relation to the February result (0.33) percentage points in relation to the February result (0.43%) being affected by the salary rises in the states of Bahia and Rio de Janeiro.  Compared to the March 2009 result (0.94%), the current index (0.76%) decreased 0.18 percentage points.  The index accumulated in the year was 1.62%, very close to the 1.66%observed in the same period of 2009. The result relative to the last twelve months was 5.81%, that is, lower than the 6.00% registered in the immediately previous twelve months.

The national cost by square meter, which was R$ 722.47 changed to R$ 727.94 in March, being R$ 416.76 relative to material and R$ 311.18 to manpower.

The figure relative to material, compared to the index in the previous month, accelerated by 0.01 percentage points, having increased from 0.34% to 0.35%. Manpower increased from 0.56% to 1.31% (0.75 percentage points).

In the year, material rose 1.00% and manpower, 2.46%. The figures accumulated in twelve months were 3.54% (material) and 9.00% (manpower).

Northeast Region was the highlight in March

The index for the Northeast Region, affected by the result of Bahia, changed 1.30%; it was the highest regional rate in March. The South had the lowest one (0.25%).

Other indexes had the following changes: 0.73% in the Southeast; 0.54% in the Central West and 0.39% in the North Region.

In relation to indexes accumulated, the North was another highlight, presenting the highest rates in the year (3.08%) and in twelve months (7.81%). The South Region had the lowest change in the year (0.64%) and in the last twelve months (5.01%).  

The regional costs by square meter were: R$ 767.22 (Southeast); R$ 737.57 (North); R$ 707.03 (South); R$ 692.86 (Central West) and R$ 689.49 (Northeast).

Rio de Janeiro e Bahia had the highest rates

Due to salary rises resulting from collective agreements, Rio de Janeiro (3.78%) and Bahia (3.62%) presented, in March, the biggest increases in construction costs. Pernambuco (0.05%) and Roraima (0.09%) had the lowest monthly rates. The lowest indexes accumulated in the year were also those of Roraima (0.36%) and Pernambuco (0.37%).

MARCH/2010

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.