Construction of new homes and apartments in urban areas increased 5.3% on the year to 7,688 units in the first six months, while housing construction in rural areas advanced 4.6% to 9,171 units.
Of the total new homes and apartments built in the first half, 16,793 units were privately funded, while 66 units were financed from public funds.
In the second quarter of 2013 compared with the year-ago period, housing construction edged down 0.3% to 9,177 units, the data showed.