The secondary sector has seen a successful year
(02.03.2022) Positive trends were seen in the secondary sector in 2021. According to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), secondary sector production increased by 7.9% compared with 2020, thereby resuming its pre-crisis level of activity.
Turnover rose by 8.9%. This growth rate made it possible to offset losses incurred in 2020 due to the pandemic (production: -2.8% and turnover -4.7%) and even to exceed them.
In more detail: industry experienced the strongest growth, with production up by 9.2% (sales: +10.1%). In 2021, the construction sector’s increase was more moderate (production: +1.2%; turnover: +3.7%). In 2020, by comparison, industry (production: -3.3%; turnover: -5.8%) and construction (production: -0.2%; turnover: -0.3%) saw a decline in activity.
With the exception of the energy supply and civil engineering sectors, all others showed positive results in 2021. Textiles and clothing, the automotive industry and the mechanical engineering sectors were the only areas where increases were not enough to offset losses in 2020.
The last few months of 2021 were especially positive, in keeping with the successes of this past fiscal year. Compared with 2020, Q4 production in the secondary sector rose by 6.2% and turnover was up by 8.3%.