Housing construction rising sharply

In the first nine months of 2005 the number of newly finished dwellings was 15 percent higher than in the same period in 2004. The number of dwellings for which a building permit was granted increased by 20 percent during the first nine months of 2005.

Housing construction, first nine months

Increase in completed dwellings

In total 36 thousand new dwellings were finished in the first nine months of 2005, almost 4.6 thousand more than in the first nine months of 2004.

The largest increase was found in the provinces South Holland (+ 1.8 thousand) and Gelderland (+ 1.1 thousand). In Groningen, Drenthe and North Brabant the number of newly completed dwellings fell in the first nine months of 2005.

Trends in completed dwellings

More building permits granted

In the first nine months of 2005 over 54 thousand building permit were granted for the construction of new dwellings. This is an increase of more than 9 thousand on the first nine months of 2004. The largest increase was found in the provinces Utrecht, North Holland and North Brabant. The only province in which fewer building permits for dwellings were granted was Friesland.

Trend in building permits granted

Stock of unfinished dwellings

There was a stock of unfinished dwellings of over 153 thousand on 30 September 2005. This is an 8 percent increase on the previous year.  The building permits for three quarters of these unfinished dwellings were issued in the period October 2003 - September 2005. For 14 percent the permits were issued between two and three years ago. The building permits for the other dwellings were granted over three years ago, but these dwellings still have not been fully completed.

Cees Steijn