Based on data from the publication “Estatísticas da Construção e Habitação – 2006” (Construction and Housing Statistics - 2006), available since today on Statistics Portugal’s website, it can be concluded that in 2006 the total number of building permits decreased by 4.0% from the previous year. As regards completed buildings, the decline was even more marked, standing at -17.8%. When analysing new residential buildings, the declines are similar, albeit more significant (-6.2% for building permits and -19.6% regarding completed buildings).