The construction of new housing in Switzerland has slowed down, according to the latest figures from the Federal Office for Statistics. In the second quarter of the year, four per cent fewer homes were built than in the same period last year.

Between April and June 7,300 new houses were completed, 300 fewer than in the second quarter of 1999. But taken as a whole the first six months of the year showed a slight increase in new buildings.

Between them Switzerland's five biggest cities accounted for a third of all new housing over the period in question. They saw their housing stock increase by 2,400, a jump of five per cent on the previous year.

The Statistics Office said that, while fewer homes were completed between April and June, there was a sharp increase in the number of building permits granted. It said the permits related mainly to new homes in the cities and in communities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants.

swissinfo with agencies

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative