Romania's construction industry maintained a high level of activity in 2024, despite a slight 4% decrease compared to the previous record year, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS). However, compared to 2018, the volume of construction works was 78% higher during 2024.

Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, the proportion of imports on Ukrainian construction sites has remained relatively stable, with any monetary growth primarily attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates. The Ukrainian Real Estate Club has convened insights from representatives of various development companies to conduct a thorough analysis of the current share of imports, the evolution of procurement strategies, and the materials and components that predominantly remain imported.

The biggest growth in Eastern Europe is foreseen in Bulgaria going into 2025, while the rest of the countries are projected to make side moves in the coming years, according to a report by the Eastern European Construction Forecasting Association (EECFA).

We have previously published insights on the recovery efforts in Ukraine, and we would like to share some remarkable examples of how commercial projects damaged by missile attacks are being rebuilt. Shopping malls, office buildings, and logistics centres are often prime targets during hostilities, yet Ukrainian businesses are showcasing extraordinary resilience as evidenced in this summary prepared by the Ukrainian Real Estate Club for Property Forum.

Construction activity in the 19 Euroconstruct countries is projected to decline by 2.4% in 2024, while next year it should return to growth, with an estimated rate of 0.6%, according to the conclusions of a conference held in early December 2024, in Milan. 

Recovery in Ukraine began after the first months of the war. Without waiting for the war to end, the authorities and the population decided to restore both civilian and commercial facilities that had been damaged or destroyed during the hostilities. Today, this is a well-controlled and organized process of reconstruction and renovation, funded by the state, along with the help of international organizations, and by the population's efforts in the case of damaged housing. The Ukrainian Real Estate Club has collected information on specific areas of reconstruction for Property Forum, from the restoration of critical infrastructure to socially oriented projects such as schools and medical facilities.

Value of started construction projects in Hungary fell almost 17% down year-on-year in the first nine months of 2024, accounting for around HUF 1800 billion, according to EBI Construction Activity Report Hungary. 

Square 7 Properties and Mitiska REIM have inaugurated Pitești Shopping Park, a new shopping center located in the northern area of Pitești, following an investment of €19 million.

Croatia’s revenue in the tourism sector rose by 8% year-on-year to August 2024, which might have an impact on the hotel construction activity. 

Romania's construction market has reached historic highs over the past two years over increased public investment, financed by both national and European funds. At the same time, demand from the residential market has remained limited due to the slow permitting process for new developments in Bucharest.