Of the total new homes and apartments built last year, 39,670 units were privately funded, down from 42,190 in 2011.
Meanwhile, the number of units financed from public funds increased to 2,896 from 2,266 a year before.
Construction of new homes and apartments in urban areas fell 4% to 18,611 units in 2012, the data showed. Housing construction in rural areas was down 4.4% to 25,066 units.
In the fourth quarter alone, housing construction rose 3.5% on the year to 15,912 units.