Building permits for residential properties see growth in the first half of 2024

The number of construction permits issued for residential buildings in Romania rose by 2% in the first half of 2024, reaching a total of 23,772, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS). This increase reflects a steady demand for housing, with several regions across the country showing positive growth in permit approvals.

Significant increases in building permits were recorded in the South-Muntenia region, which saw an additional 264 permits issued compared to the same period in 2023. Other regions with notable growth include the West (+202 permits), Bucharest-Ilfov (+137), North-East (+79), and South-West Oltenia (+64). However, some regions experienced a decline, with the Center region seeing a decrease of 243 permits, followed by the North-West (-31) and South-East (-11) regions.

For the month of August 2024 alone, a total of 3,360 permits were issued for residential buildings, representing a 3.6% drop compared to July 2024. Despite the decrease in the number of permits, the total usable area of residential buildings saw a 3.1% increase, amounting to 808,191 square meters. Notably, 70.3% of these permits were issued for properties in rural areas.

The regional breakdown for August shows mixed results. Decreases in building permits were seen in the North-West (-159 permits), West (-59), South-Muntenia (-19), Center (-18), and Bucharest-Ilfov (-16) regions. Meanwhile, increases were observed in South-West Oltenia (+51), North-East (+48), and South-East (+45).

These figures highlight the varying dynamics of Romania’s residential construction sector, with certain regions continuing to drive growth while others experience temporary slowdowns.