The national Index of Construction, calculated by IBGE in partnership with Caixa Econômica Federal, changed by 0.28% in August, having decreased by 0.28% in relation to July, when it was 0.41%. The index has maintained its deceleration trend since June. In comparison with August 2005 (0.34%), the current index was 0.06 percentage points lower, accumulated figures of 3.82% in the year and 5.01% in the last twelve months; both rates are below those observed in similar periods in 2005 (5.77% and 9.60%).

 The national cost by square meter changed from R$ 562.30 to R$ 563.88, being R$325.63 relative to construction material and R$ 238.25 relative to manpower. Material changed by 0.45%, with 0.17 percentage points over the July index (0.28%). On the other hand, manpower fell by 0.53 percentage points, changing from 0.58% in July to 0.05% in August. In the year, the accumulated rate for material was 2.63%, below the rate for the same period in 2005 (5.13%). In terms of manpower, the percentage was 5.50%, also below the result in 2005 (6.67%). In the last twelve months, the changes were 3.85% (material) and 6.64% (manpower).

Central West Region had the biggest change

Affected by the salary readjustments in Mato Grosso, the Central West Region had the highest index in the month (0.90%). The North Region was in the second position, having changed by 0.51%, due to the collective agreement in Acre.

The remaining results by area, all below the national index (0.28%), were the following: 0.26% in the Northeast Region; 0.26% in the South and 0.13% in the Southeast. The highest rates accumulated in the year (4.62%) and in twelve months (6.33%) are still those registered in the Northeast Region. The lowest results in these periods are those observed in the South (3.35% and 4.12%, respectively).

In terms of costs by area, the figures were: R$ 602.07 (Southeast); R$ 565.82 (South); R$ 544,75 (North);  R$ 537.11 (Central West) and R$ 520.73 (Northeast).

High indexes in Acre and in Mato Grosso

Due to salary readjustments, Acre, with change of 3.92% and Mato Grosso, with 2.30% were the highlights in August. In some states, the cost of construction remained close to stability, which can be observed in the indexes of Minas Gerais (0.05%) and Roraima (0.10%). Sergipe still has the highest index accumulated in the year (7.75%). The highest index accumulated in twelve months was registered in Piauí (9.23%).  

                        AUGUST/06

SOURCE: IBGE, Diretoria de Pesquisas, Coordenação de Índices de Preços.

NOTE: These results are calculated every month, by IBGE,   in  partnership with Caixa Econômica Federal.