Short-term output indicators: January to March 2020

The most recent data in this report is for the year ending March 2020. The report will cover a very short period of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Impact of coronavirus

Smaller sampler sizes in Wales make it difficult to interpret short term changes. There has also been an impact on data collection for this quarter as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

We can’t say for certain that the recent changes are a result of the pandemic. The impact on the economy in Wales will become clearer as more data becomes available.

Main points

The Index of Market Services for Wales had a slight increase in the year to March 2020, compared with the previous twelve months. UK output increased by 0.8% over the same period. The growth in Wales was largely accounted for by an increase in Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities and Transport.

There was a 3.2% decrease in the latest quarter compared with the previous quarter in Wales. UK output decreased by 2.0%, over the same period.

The Index of Production for Wales decreased by 1.7% in the year to March 2020, compared with the previous twelve months. UK output decreased by 2.3% over the same period. The growth in Wales was largely accounted for by an increase in Food, Beverages and Tobacco.

The short term trend for Wales shows a 13.0% decrease when comparing the latest quarter to the previous quarter. UK output decreased by 1.5% over the same period.

The Index of Construction for Wales increased by 0.2% in the year to March 2020, compared with the previous twelve months. UK output increased by 0.4% over the same period.

The short term trend for Wales shows a 0.4% decrease when comparing the latest quarter to the previous quarter. UK output decreased by 1.7% over the same period.

Note

The ONS published experimental estimates of Welsh GDP for the first time in September 2019.