BERLIN, Dec 7 (Reuters) - German industrial production fell by a much steeper-than-expected 2.6 percent in October, weighed down by weaker output in the construction sector and in investment goods, Economy Ministry data showed on Friday.

The mid-range forecast in a Reuters poll of 37 economists was for a 0.5 percent fall. September output data was upwardly revised slightly to a fall of 1.3 percent, from a previous decline of 1.8 percent.

Factories churned out 4.3 percent fewer capital goods and produced 6.2 percent fewer durable goods on a monthly basis in October. Activity in the construction sector slipped 5.3 percent on the month.

(Reporting by Alexandra Hudson, Editing by Gareth Jones) Keywords: GERMANY OUTPUT/

(alexandra.hudson@thomsonreuters.com)(49 30 2888 5217)(Reuters Messaging: alexandra.hudson.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)

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