According to preliminary data from Poland's statistical office GUS, in 2012 all types of investors started the construction of 141,800 apartments, 12.6 percent less that a year earlier. Both individual investors and real estate development firms applied for fewer housing construction permits. These numbers are the lowest in five years. Completed housing construction was up by 16.3 percent year-on-year with 21,300 apartments built.

The number of building permits is also way down. In 2012 the total number of new permits was 165,300, the lowest number in five years. The number of permits for new apartments for sale was 72,400, nearly 1,000 less than in 2011.

Poland A.M.