Industrial output in 2001 declined 7.9 percent from the previous year for the first drop in three years and the biggest plunge since 1975, according to a preliminary report released Tuesday by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Industrial output for 2001 registered 96.9 against the benchmark of 100 established in 1995, hitting its lowest level since a 96.8 posting in 1994.

The 7.9 percent decline from the previous year marks the largest deterioration since 1975, when industrial output dropped 11 percent from the year before, according to the ministry.

For December, however, industrial output grew for the first time in four months, rising 2.1 percent over November.

The seasonally adjusted production index at mines and factories came in at 92.9.

On a year-on-year basis, the December figure represents a decline of 14.9 percent, also the largest since 1975, when the index dropped 18.1 percent in March.

A ministry official attributed the month-on-month growth to an increase in production of personal computers and mobile phones for the domestic market.

But the ministry is sticking with its overall assessment that production is on a downward trend.

"Although the December figure showed growth, we are not sure how solid the growth is," a ministry official said. "Therefore, we maintain the overall assessment."

The ministry expects industrial output to grow 1.4 percent in January and 0.6 percent in February on a month-on-month basis.

Shipments for December rose 1.8 percent from a month before, marking their first growth in four months. The seasonally adjusted index of shipments came in at 95.2.

Inventories for December slipped 1 percent from the previous month to 94.4, posting a fourth straight month of decline.