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The construction sector was one of the main drivers of economic activity in may 2016, registering a 1.34% increase compared to april of the same year, according to the seasonally adjusted Economic Activity Volume Index (IVAE) published by the Banco Central de Reserva (BCR).
The sector’s index rose from 208.5 points in april to 211.3 in may, an increase of 2.8 points, placing it among the best-performing sectors during the month. Overall, the IVAE also showed growth, increasing from 134.1 to 135.0 points, equivalent to a monthly increase of 0.67%.
Although construction registered solid progress, the largest monthly percentage increase was in the public administration and defense, education, health, and social assistance group, whose index rose from 122.4 to 125.5 points, an increase of 2.53%.
Following these sectors were real estate activities, with monthly growth of 1.00%, rising from 120.6 to 121.8 points; the trade, transportation, and storage, accommodation, and food service sector, which advanced 0.87%, from 137.5 to 138.7 points; financial and insurance activities, with an increase of 0.86%, rising from 173.6 to 175.1 points; and information and communications, which grew 0.36%, rising from 138.7 to 139.2 points.
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In contrast, some sectors registered declines during may. Agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing decreased by 0.69%, falling from 101.9 to 101.2 points. Similarly, the Industrial Production Index (IPI) dropped 0.53%, from 112.9 to 112.3 points, while professional, scientific, technical, administrative, support, and other service activities also declined by 0.53%, from 151.0 to 150.2 points.
According to information from the BCR, no sector remained unchanged between april and may 2026, as all registered increases or decreases in their respective indices.
Comparison with may 2025
When comparing the results of may 2026 with those of the same month in 2025, the construction sector also showed favorable performance. Its index increased from 192.7 to 211.3 points, representing a year-on-year growth of 9.65%, the highest among the main economic sectors included in the report.
The overall IVAE (Index of Economic Activity) registered growth of 5.55%, rising from 127.9 to 135.0 points.
Other sectors that also reported year-on-year increases were:
Real estate activities: 7.03%, rising from 113.8 to 121.8 points. Trade, transportation and storage, accommodation and food service activities: 6.69%, from 130.0 to 138.7 points.
Public administration and defense, education, health and social assistance: 6.63%, from 117.7 to 125.5 points. Financial and insurance activities: 4.66%, from 167.3 to 175.1 points. Industrial Production Index (IPI): 4.47%, from 107.5 to 112.3 points.Professional, scientific, technical, administrative, support, and other service activities: 3.87%, from 144.6 to 150.2 points.
Information and communications: 1.09%, from 137.7 to 139.2 points.
The only sectors that showed a negative year-on-year change was agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing, with a decrease of 0.69%.
The IVAE results for may reflect a mostly positive performance in economic activity, with construction consolidating its position as one of the most dynamic sectors, both in the monthly comparison and compared to the same period of the previous year, while agriculture and some service activities were the only ones that showed declines in the analyzed period.
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