The National Civil Construction Index (Sinapi), calculated by IBGE in partnership with CAIXA, recorded change of 0.31% in February... 

The National Civil Construction Index (Sinapi), calculated by IBGE in partnership with CAIXA, changed by 0.31% in February, and was 0.28 percentage points below the rate of January (0.59%).  It is 0.08 percentage points lower than the February 2011 rate. Considering the first two months of the year, the index was 0.90%, above that of the same period of the previous year. The result of the last twelve months was 5.90%, below the 5.98% registered for the immediately previous twelve months.  

The complete publication is available at www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/indicadores/precos/sinapi/default.shtm.

The national cost of construction per square meter, which in January was R$ 814.43, changed to R$ 816.96 in February, R$ 446.17 relative to materials and R$ 370.79 to labor force.

The segment of materials presented a change of 0.09%, up 0.22 percentage points over the previous month (-0.13%), whereas labor force had a lower growth, from 1.47% in January to 0.58% in February. The indexes accumulated in twelve months were:

11.20% (labor force) and 1.86% (materials).

North region records the highest monthly change:

0.43%

The North region, up 0.43%, had the highest regional rate in February. The remaining results were:

0.41% (Northeast); 0.34% (South); 0.32% (Central-West); 0.20% (Southeast). 

The regional costs, per square meter, were: R$854.06 (Southeast); R$ 830.18 (North); R$ 817.41 (Central-West); R$ 806.80 (South) and R$ 772.36 (Northeast).

Piauí records the highest increase:

3.15%

Due to the pressure from salary increases following a collective work agreement, Piauí registered the highest monthly rate, 3.15%.