The National Index of Civil Construction (Sinapi), estimated by IBGE, recorded a change of 0.83% in May, up 0.37 percentage points in relation to April (0.46%). The last 12 months went to 6.68% - below the 7.14% result recorded in the previous 12 months. In May 2015, the index was 1.26%. The complete publication of the survey can be accessed at here.

The national cost of construction per square meter, which in April was R$ 989.37, increased to R$ 997.60 in May: R$ 527.68 relative to materials and R$ 469.92 to labor force.

The share of material changed 0.17%, down 0.10 percentage points in relation to April's rate (0.27%). The share relative to labor force registered a change of 1.58%, up 0.89 percentage points over the previous month (0.69%). From January to May, the cumulative figures are: 2.25% (material) and 5.03% (labor force), whereas in 12 months, they are: 4.50% (material) and 9.22% (workforce). 

Southeast Region records the highest monthly change

The Southeast Region, with 1.67%, recorded the highest regional change in May. The other Regions presented the following results: 0.29% (North), 0.28% (Northeast), 0.11% (South) and 0.56% (Central-West).

The regional costs, by square meter, were: R$ 1,013.78 (North); R$ 926.82 (Northeast); R$ 1,044.07 (Southeast); R$ 1,021.76 (South) and R$ 998.86 (Central-West).

In May, Mato Grosso do Sul records the highest increase in the month

Due to the pressure exerted by the salary increase following a collective agreement, Mato Grosso do Sul was the state which presented the highest monthly change (3.57%), followed by São Paulo (3.27%), and Rondônia (2.76%), also affected by the salary increase.

SINAPI, created in 1969, aims at producing information on costs and indexes in a systematic way and covering the national territory, in order to design and assess budgets, as well as monitor costs.