 | This article needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(March 2023) |
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| |
| Currency | Euro (EUR, €) and7 others |
|---|---|
| Calendar year | |
Trade organisations | WTO,G20,G7 and others |
Country group | |
| Statistics | |
| Population |  450,380,320 (EU27, 2025est.)[6] |
| GDP | |
GDP growth | |
GDP per capita | |
GDP by sector |
|
Population belowpoverty line |  21.0% at risk of poverty or social exclusion (AROPE for EU27, 2024)[9] |
| 29.4low (EU27, 2024)[10] | |
Labour force | |
Labour force by occupation |
|
| Unemployment | |
Average gross salary | €3,255 monthly (2022)[15] |
| €2,461 monthly (2024)[16] | |
Main industries |
|
| External | |
| Exports | $2.797 trillion (2024)[17] |
Export goods | machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, fuels, aircraft, plastics, iron and steel, wood pulp and paper products, alcoholic beverages, furniture |
Main export partners |
|
| Imports | $2.635 trillion (2024)[17] |
Import goods | fuels and crude oil, machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, precious gemstones, textiles, aircraft, plastics, metals, ships |
Main import partners |
|
FDI stock | |
 €493.493 billion; 2.8% of GDP (2024)[20] | |
Grossexternal debt | $13.05 trillion (31 December 2014est.)[8] |
| −€2,557.4 billion; 17.5% of GDP (2015)[21] | |
| Public finances | |
| $0.6 trillion (2010)[23] | |
| Revenues | 46.9% of GDP (EU27; 2021)[22] |
| Expenses | 51.6% of GDP (EU27; 2021)[22] |
| Economic aid | donor:ODA, $87.64 billion[25] |
All values, unless otherwise stated, are inUS dollars. | |
Theeconomy of the European Union is the joint economy of the member states of theEuropean Union (EU). It is the second largest economy in the worldin nominal terms, after theUnited States, and the third largestat purchasing power parity (PPP), afterChina and the US. The European Union's GDP is estimated to be $19.99 trillion (nominal) in 2025 or $29.18 trillion (PPP),[7] representing around one-sixth of theglobal economy.[28]Germany,France andItaly are the three largest economies in the European Union, accounting for approximately 51.9% of the EU's total GDP. Germany contributes 23.7%, while France accounts for 16.1% and Italy for 12.1%.[29] In 2023, thesocial welfare expenditure of the European Union (EU) as a whole was26.8% of its GDP.[30][31][32]
The EU has total banking assets of more than $38 trillion,France accounts for 26% ($10 trillion) of Europe's total banking assets followed byGermany with 18% ($7 trillion) andItaly with 8% ($3 trillion).Global assets under management in the EU is more than $12 trillion, with France accounting for more than 33% ($4 trillion) of Europe's totalAUM followed by Germany with 16% ($2 trillion) and Italy with 12% ($1 trillion).[33][34]Paris is by far theeconomically strongest city in the EU, with aGDP exceeding $1 trillion.[35]Paris is a major economic hub in the EU, withEuronext Paris, thelargest stock exchange in the EU by market cap.[36][37]Frankfurt, Germany'sfinancial center, is the second-largest in the EU, hosting theFrankfurt Stock Exchange, although it is significantly smaller than Paris in terms of market cap and economic influence.[38]
Theeuro is the second largestreserve currency and the second most traded currency in the world after theUnited States dollar.[39][40][41] The euro is used by 20 of its 27 members, overall, it is the official currency in 26 countries, in theeurozone and insix other European countries, officially or de facto. The EU as a region has produced the world's second-highest number ofNobel laureates in the economics field.[42]
The European Union is one of the world's largest trading entities, with Germany and France serving as the primary economic powerhouses in terms of bothexports andimports. In 2023, Germany is theEU's largest exporter andimporter and the third-largest exporter globally, with $1.96 trillion in exports. Germany is also a major importer, with $1.47 trillion in imports, reflecting its role as a key player in global supply chains. France is the second-largest exporter in the EU, with $1.05 trillion in exports. France is also a significant importer, with just over $777 billion in imports, the second largest importer in the EU.[43][44]
Of the top 500 largest corporations measured by revenue (Fortune Global 500 in 2023), 161 are located in the EU.[45][needs update] With 30 companies that are part of theworld's biggest 500 companies, Germany was in 2023 the most represented in the European Union in the 2023Fortune Global 500, ahead of France (24 companies) and the Netherlands (10).[46] With 62 companies that are part of theworld's biggest 2000 companies, France was again in 2023 the most represented in the European Union in the 2023Forbes Global 2000, ahead of Germany (50 companies) and Italy (28).[47][48]
The European Union economy consists of aninternal market ofmixed economies based onfree market andadvanced social models. For instance, it includes an internal single market with free movement of goods, services, capital, and labour.[8] TheGDP per capita (PPP) was $62,660 in 2024,[7] compared to $86,601 in the United States, $53,059 inJapan and $26,310 in China.[49] There are significant disparities in GDP per capita (PPP) between member states ranging from $154,915 inLuxembourg to $41,506 inBulgaria.[50] With a mediumGini coefficient of 29.6,[10] the European Union has a moreegalitarian distribution of income than the world average.[51][better source needed]
EU investments in foreign countries total €17.02 trillion, while theforeign investments made in the union total €14.46 trillion in 2023,[19] by far the highest foreign and domestic investments in the world.[citation needed][52][53]Euronext is the main stock exchange of the Eurozone and theworld's fourth largest bymarket capitalisation, withEuronext Paris accounting for more than 80% ofEuronext total market cap.[54] TheEU's largest trading partners are China, the United States, theUnited Kingdom,Switzerland,Russia,Turkey,Japan,Norway,South Korea,India, andCanada.[55] In 2022, public debt in the union was 83.5% of GDP, with disparities between the lowest rate,Estonia with 18.5%, and the highest,Greece with 172.6%.[56]
There has been general growth in GDP per capita and employment, but regional differences within EU nations remain, with considerable discrepancies between capital and non-capital areas, particularly in younger Member States.[57] In north-western Europe, nearly 75% of women are part of the workforce, compared to roughly 68% in southern Europe.[58][59]
Since 1999, 20 EU states use theeuro as official currency in a currency union. The remaining 7 states continue to use their own currency with the possibility to join the euro later. The euro is the most widely used currency in the EU.
Since 1992, theMaastricht Treaty sets out rigid economic and fiscalconvergence criteria for the states joining the euro. Starting 1997, theStability and Growth Pact has been started to ensure continuing economic and fiscalstability and convergence.
Denmark is not a part of the eurozone due to its special opt-outs concerning the later joining of the euro. In contrast, the remaining states can effectively opt out by choosing when or whether to join theEuropean Exchange Rate Mechanism, which is the preliminary step towards joining. They are, however, committed to join the euro by their Treaties of Accession.
Starting withGreece in 2009, five of the 20eurozone states have been struggling with a sovereign debt crisis, commonly called theEuropean debt crisis. All these states started reforms and got bailout packages (Greece,Ireland,Portugal,Spain,Cyprus). As of 2015, all countries but Greece have recovered from their debt crisis.[needs update] Other non-eurozone states also experienced a debt crisis and also went through successful bailout programmes, i.e.Hungary,Romania andLatvia (the latter before it joined the eurozone).[60]
The EU has a long-term budget, namedMultiannual Financial Framework (MFF), of €1,082.5 billion for the period 2014–2020, representing 1.02% of the EU-28's GNI.[61]
The overall budget for the period 2021-2027 is of €1.8 trillion combining the MFF of €1,074.3 billion with an extraordinary recovery fund of €750 billion, known asNext Generation EU, to support member states hit by theCOVID-19 pandemic.[62]
Theservices sector is by far the most important sector in the European Union, making up 64.7% of GDP, compared to themanufacturing industry with 23.8% of GDP and agriculture with only 1.5% of GDP.[63]
Financial services are well developed within the Single Market of the Union. Companies have a greater reliance on bank lending than in the United States, although a shift towards companies raising more funding throughcapital markets is planned through theCMU initiative, the EU plan put forward by the Commission in September 2015 to mobilise thefree movement of capital within the EU.[64] The plan aims "to establish the building blocks of an integrated capital market in the EU by 2019".[65] The CMU initiative comprises 33 measures in all.[66] The plan was updated in 2017 and in 2019, since not a single legislation will deliver the CMU.[67] TheCommissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union,Mairead McGuinness, former vice-president of the European Parliament, is responsible for delivery of the initiative.[68][69][70][71]
According to theGlobal Financial Centres Index, the two largest financial centres in Europe,London andZürich, are outside the European Union.[72] The two largest financial centres remaining within the EU will then beFrankfurt andLuxembourg.
In theEuropean Investment Bank's Investment survey 2021, 58% of firms in the service sector were expecting long term effects of COVID-19.[73][74] 56% of EU enterprises received governmental help to handle the pandemic's effects.[75][76][77]
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on sales. 49% of all EU enterprises claimed that their sales decreased since the start of 2020.[75][78] The pandemic has affected sectors differently, with the number of enterprises losing money in the hotels, restaurants, arts, and leisure industries reaching roughly 25% compared to previous times, and transportation also being affected.[79][80][81]
Without government assistance, 35% of Europeansmall and medium-sized firms (SMEs) in manufacturing and services indicated their businesses would not have survived the effects of the pandemic.[73][82]
In 2020, 86% of enterprises reported previous-year investment activity, while in 2021 only 79% reported investment. 23% of EU firms changed their investment plans in 2021, with only 3% reporting a higher amount.[75][83] The highest proportion of enterprises that have reduced their investment plans due to a drop in sales are in Poland, where 49% of firms have reduced investment, and in Belgium, where 47% of firms stated the same.[75][84]
Most green or digital businesses in the EU operate in manufacturing (33%) or infrastructure (30%). The service sector has the greatest percentage of businesses that have not engaged in digitalisation or the green transition (41%).[85][86]
EU enterprises were growing in terms of innovation in 2023. 39% of EU enterprises created or introduced new goods, processes, or services in the previous fiscal year, compared to 57% of US firms. In the EU, over 12% of businesses introduced ideas that were novel to the country or the global market.[87][88][89] Investment in intangible assets (research and development,software,training, orbusiness processes) by EU enterprises accounted for around 38% of overall investment. Businesses in the EU were also optimistic about 2023, with 14% more predicting an increase rather than a drop in investment.[90]
The agriculturalsector is supported bysubsidies from the European Union in the form of theCommon Agricultural Policy (CAP). In 2013 this represented approximately €45 billion (less than 33% of the overall budget of €148 billion) of the EU's total spending.[92][needs update] It was used originally to guarantee aminimum price forfarmers in the EU. This is criticised as a form ofprotectionism, inhibiting trade, and damagingdeveloping countries; one of the most vocal opponents was the United Kingdom, the second largest economy within the union untilits withdrawal in January 2020, which repeatedly refused to give up the annualUK rebate unless the CAP should undergo significant reform; France, the biggest beneficiary of the CAP and the union's third largest (now its second-largest) economy, is its most vocal proponent. The CAP is however witnessing substantial reform. In 1985, around 70% of the EU budget was spent on agriculture. In 2011, direct aid to farmers and market-related expenditure amount to just 30% of the budget, and rural development spending to 11%. By 2011, 90% of direct support had become non-trade-distorting (not linked to production) as reforms have continued to be made to the CAP, its funding and its design.[93]
The European Union is a majortourist destination, attracting visitors from outside of the Union and citizens travelling inside it. Internal tourism is made more convenient by theSchengen treaty and the euro. All citizens of the European Union are entitled to travel to any member state without the need of avisa.
France is theworld's number one tourist destination for international visitors, followed by Spain, Italy, and Germany. It is worth noting, however, that a significant proportion of international visitors to EU countries are from other member states.[citation needed]
The European Union has uranium, coal,oil, andnatural gas reserves. There are sixoil producers in the European Union, primarily inNorth Sea oilfields. The United Kingdom, whilst it was a member of the European Union was by far the largest producer; Denmark, Germany, Italy, Romania and the Netherlands produce oil.The European Union produced 19.8 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) ofcrude oil in 2019.The EU is one of the largestconsumers of oil, consuming much more than it can produce. It consumed about 350 Mtoe in 2019, importing 96.8% of the oil. The largest suppliers are Russia, Iraq, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, and Norway.Transport is the largest consumer of oil, at 66.1% in 2019.[94]
All countries in the EU have committed to theKyoto Protocol, and the European Union is one of its biggest proponents. The European Commission published proposals for the first comprehensiveEU energy policy on 10 January 2007.[95]
During the green transition, workers in carbon-intensive industries are more likely to lose their jobs. In the years to come, the transition to a carbon-neutral economy will put more jobs at danger in regions with higher percentages of employment in carbon-intensive industries.[96][97][98] Employment opportunities by the green transition are associated with the use of renewable energy sources or building activity for infrastructure improvements and renovations.[99]
Energy costs remain a major obstacle to investment to 46% of EU firms. 34% of EU firms say that stricter climate standards and regulations will affect their business over the next five years. This is compared to 42% of US firms.[100] 27% of companies in the European Union see sustainability and the green transition as a business opportunity.[101][102]
The European Union's member states are the birthplace of many of the world's largest leadingmultinational companies, and home to its global headquarters. Among these are distinguished companies ranked first in the world within their industry/sector, likeAllianz andAXA, which are the two largest financial service providers in the world by revenue;WPP plc andPublicis which are the world's largest advertising agencies by revenue;Amorim, which is the world's largestcork-processing and cork producer company;ArcelorMittal, which is the largest steel company in the world;Christian Dior SE[104] which is the biggest fashion group in the world andInditex is the world's second biggest fashion group;Groupe Danone, which has the world leadership in thedairy products market.[105]
Anheuser-Busch InBev is the largest beer company in the world;L'Oréal Group, which is the world's largest cosmetics and beauty company;LVMH, which is the world's largestluxury goods conglomerate;Nokia Corporation, which was the world's largest manufacturer ofmobile telephones;Shell plc,Électricité de France,Uniper,TotalEnergies,Eni which are one of the largest energy corporations in the world; andStora Enso, which is the world's largestpulp and paper manufacturer in terms of production capacity, in terms of banking and finance the EU has some of the world's largest notablyBNP Paribas,HSBC,Crédit Agricole,Grupo Santander,Société Générale,Deutsche Bank,Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe andGroupe BPCE, the largest bank in Europe in terms of Market Capitalisation and assets.[106]
Many other European companies rank among the world's largest companies in terms of turnover, profit, market share, number of employees or other major indicators. A considerable number of EU-based companies are ranked among the world's top-ten within their sector of activity.Europe is also home to many prestigious car companies such asAston Martin,Alpine,BMW,Bugatti,Ferrari,Jaguar,Lamborghini,Land Rover,Maserati,Mercedes-Benz,Porsche,Volvo, as well as volume manufacturers such asAutomobile Dacia,Citroën,Fiat,Opel,Peugeot,Renault,Seat,Škoda,Volkswagen and more.
In Europe, 33% of jobs are within enterprises that have not digitally transformed. These companies were also less likely to train their employees throughout theCOVID-19 outbreak.[75][107] Across the European Union, the most commonly mentioned investment barrier is the lack of trained labor. 75% of businesses in transitionregions found this to be problematic. Numerous reasons, such asdemographics and rising demand for skills that are less common on the market, such as those needed to support digitalization activities, might contribute to the lack of competent workers.[108] In all areas of Europe, digital businesses have produced "better" employment with greater earnings than their non-digital counterparts. Additionally, they are more inclined to recognize and reward individuals who do well.[109][110]
The EU lags significantly behind the US and China inventure capital investments, with the EU capturing only 5% of global venture capital compared to 52% in the US and 40% in China.[111]
Venture capital funds in the EU account for just 5% of the global total, whereas those in the United States and China secure 52% and 40%, respectively. The financing gap for EU scale-ups (companies that have achieved a valuation between $500 million and $10 billion) is significant, with companies raising 50% less capital than those in Silicon Valley. This disparity exists across industries and is unaffected by the business cycle or year of establishment.[111][112]
European scale-ups face significant challenges in securing sufficient financing compared to their counterparts in the United States. Venture capital in the EU has been historically lower, amounting to only 0.3% of the EU's annual GDP. This is compared to almost 0.19% in the United States. While the EU has about 50% of the number of companies with a market valuation below $500 million compared to the United States, this share drops to 10-15% for companies with valuations between $500 million and $10 billion.[111]
The following is a list of the largest EU based stock market listedcompanies in 2024. The list is ordered byrevenue in millions of US Dollars and is based on theFortune Global 500.
| World rank | Corporation | Ticker | Revenues ($m) | Profits ($m) | Assets ($m) | Employees | Headquarters | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Volkswagen Group | VWAGY | $348,408.1 | $17,944.5 | $663,064 | 684,025 |  Wolfsburg | Motor vehicle and parts |
| 23 | TotalEnergies | TTE | $218,945.0 | $21,384.0 | $283,654 | 102,579 |  Courbevoie | Petroleum refining |
| 28 | Stellantis | STLA | $204,908.3 | $20,103.4 | $223,247 | 258,275 |  Hoofddorp | Motor vehicle and parts |
| 41 | BMW Group | BMWYY | $168,102.6 | $12,205.2 | $277,104 | 154,950 | Munich | Motor vehicle and parts |
| 42 | Mercedes-Benz Group | MBGYY | $165,637.8 | $15,417.0 | $290,504 | 166,056 | Stuttgart | Motor vehicle and parts |
| 49 | Électricité de France | — | $151,040.2 | $10,827.9 | $402,929 | 171,862 | Paris | Energy |
| 62 | Banco Santander | SAN | $137,244.8 | $11,973.8 | $1,984,827 | 207,206 |  Santander | Financial services |
| 64 | BNP Paribas | BNPQY | $136,076.2 | $11,864.6 | $2,862,270 | 182,656 | Paris | Financial services |
| 77 | Deutsche Telekom | DTEGY | $121,046.2 | $19,229.9 | $320,637 | 199,652 | Bonn | Telecommunications |
| 79 | Uniper | UNPRF | $116,662.5 | $6,819.3 | $60,704 | 6,863 | Düsseldorf | Energy |
The twelve new member states of the European Union have enjoyed a higher average percentage growth rate than their elder members of the EU.Slovakia has the highest GDP growth in the period 2005–2015 among all countries of the European Union (SeeTatra Tiger). Notably theBaltic states have achieved high GDP growth, withLatvia topping 11%, close to China, the world leader at 9% on average for the past 25 years (though these gains have been in great part cancelled by thelate-2000s recession).[114]
Reasons for this growth include government commitments to stablemonetary policy, export-oriented trade policies, lowflat-tax rates and the utilisation of relatively cheap labour. In 2015Ireland had the highest GDP growth of all the states in EU (25.1%).The current map of EU growth is one of huge regional variation, with the larger economies suffering from stagnant growth and most of the newer states enjoying sustained, robust economic growth.
The European Union's financial system is characterized by a large banking sector, with bank assets comprising 300% of GDP, compared to 85% in the United States. However, the EU has relatively small capital markets, with listed equity making up only 68% of GDP compared to 170% in the United States, and a limited presence of hedge funds and private equity funds.[111]
Approximately 26% of European scale-ups are acquired through mergers and acquisitions, a figure comparable to San Francisco but lower than the 37% observed in cities such as London.[115]
In mid-2021, the European Union's gross saving rate was 18% ofgross disposable income, higher above the priorCOVID-19 pandemic average of 11–13%.[75][116] In the second quarter of 2020, families' primary income fell by 7.3% compared to the second quarter of 2019, and their secondary income (from social security payments and other transfers) increased by 6.5% of gross income.[75][117][118]
Although EU27 GDP is rising, the percentage ofgross world product is decreasing because of the emergence of economies such as China, India and Brazil.
In the tables below, colours indicatebest andworst performer of the year concerned.
| Member state | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Yearly growth (2014–2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Austria | 0.8 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 1.8 | -6.3 | 4.8 | 5.3 | -1.0 | -1.2 | 1.13 |
 Belgium | 1.8 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 2.4 | -4.8 | 6.2 | 4.2 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.65 |
 Bulgaria | 0.9 | 3.4 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 3.8 | -3.2 | 7.8 | 4.0 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 2.69 |
 Croatia | -0.6 | 2.3 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 3.1 | -8.3 | 12.6 | 7.3 | 3.3 | 3.8 | 3.02 |
 Cyprus | -1.8 | 3.4 | 6.6 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 5.9 | -3.2 | 11.4 | 7.4 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 4.35 |
 Czechia | 2.2 | 5.0 | 2.6 | 5.2 | 2.8 | 3.6 | -5.3 | 4.0 | 2.8 | -0.1 | 1.1 | 2.17 |
 Denmark | 1.3 | 2.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 1.9 | 1.7 | -1.8 | 7.4 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 3.6 | 2.40 |
 Estonia | 3.3 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 5.6 | 3.7 | 3.7 | -2.9 | 7.2 | 0.1 | -3.0 | -0.3 | 2.03 |
 Finland | -0.5 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 1.3 | -2.5 | 2.7 | 0.8 | -0.9 | -0.1 | 0.76 |
| France | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 2.0 | -7.4 | 6.9 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.17 |
| Germany | 2.2 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 1.0 | -4.1 | 3.7 | 1.4 | -0.3 | -0.2 | 1.05 |
 Greece | 0.8 | -0.2 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 2.3 | -9.2 | 8.7 | 5.7 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 1.48 |
 Hungary | 4.3 | 3.7 | 2.4 | 4.1 | 5.6 | 5.1 | -4.3 | 7.1 | 4.3 | -0.9 | 0.5 | 2.90 |
 Ireland | 9.3 | 24.6 | 1.2 | 10.0 | 7.5 | 5.0 | 7.2 | 16.3 | 8.6 | -5.5 | 1.2 | 7.76 |
 Italy | 0.0 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.4 | -8.9 | 8.9 | 4.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.01 |
 Latvia | 2.1 | 3.8 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 0.7 | -3.5 | 6.9 | 1.8 | 2.9 | -0.4 | 2.24 |
 Lithuania | 3.8 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 0.0 | 6.4 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 2.7 | 3.22 |
 Luxembourg | 2.6 | 2.3 | 5.0 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 2.7 | -0.5 | 6.9 | -1.1 | -0.7 | 1.0 | 1.92 |
 Malta | 7.6 | 9.6 | 4.1 | 13.0 | 7.2 | 4.1 | -3.4 | 13.3 | 4.3 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 6.60 |
| Netherlands | 1.6 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 2.3 | -3.9 | 6.3 | 5.0 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 2.00 |
 Poland | 3.9 | 4.4 | 3.0 | 5.2 | 6.2 | 4.6 | -2.0 | 6.9 | 5.3 | 0.1 | 2.9 | 3.68 |
 Portugal | 0.7 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 2.7 | -8.2 | 5.6 | 7.0 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 2.07 |
 Romania | 4.1 | 3.2 | 2.9 | 8.2 | 6.1 | 3.9 | -3.7 | 5.5 | 4.0 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 3.41 |
 Slovakia | 2.7 | 5.2 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 4.1 | 2.3 | -2.6 | 5.7 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 2.36 |
 Slovenia | 2.8 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 5.2 | 4.4 | 3.5 | -4.1 | 8.4 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 2.91 |
| Spain | 1.5 | 4.1 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2.4 | 2.0 | -10.9 | 6.7 | 6.2 | 2.7 | 3.2 | 2.15 |
 Sweden | 2.3 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 2.5 | -2.0 | 5.9 | 1.5 | -0.1 | 1.0 | 1.95 |
 European Union (27) | 1.6 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 2.1 | 1.9 | -5.6 | 6.3 | 3.5 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 1.52 |
| Eurozone (20) | 1.4 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 1.8 | 1.6 | -6.0 | 6.3 | 3.5 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 1.35 |
| Member state | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Change from 2014 to 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | % | ||||||||||||
| Austria | 330.114 | 342.084 | 355.666 | 367.295 | 383.234 | 395.707 | 380.318 | 406.232 | 449.382 | 477.837 | 494.088 | 163.974 | 49.67% |
| Belgium | 404.958 | 415.538 | 428.467 | 443.407 | 459.492 | 479.445 | 463.751 | 506.047 | 561.309 | 602.376 | 620.272 | 215.314 | 53.17% |
| Bulgaria | 43.025 | 45.798 | 48.752 | 52.502 | 56.001 | 61.195 | 61.857 | 71.345 | 86.080 | 94.527 | 104.769 | 61.744 | 143.51% |
| Croatia | 44.281 | 45.488 | 47.574 | 50.204 | 53.035 | 55.768 | 50.718 | 58.390 | 67.609 | 79.186 | 85.905 | 41.624 | 94.00% |
| Cyprus | 17.483 | 17.944 | 19.014 | 20.312 | 21.808 | 23.401 | 22.374 | 25.680 | 29.416 | 31.340 | 33.414 | 15.931 | 91.12% |
| Czechia | 158.992 | 170.527 | 179.146 | 196.739 | 213.505 | 229.407 | 220.311 | 246.012 | 286.977 | 319.099 | 320.742 | 161.750 | 101.73% |
| Denmark | 265.636 | 272.193 | 282.265 | 294.355 | 301.017 | 308.546 | 312.118 | 343.319 | 380.567 | 374.174 | 392.401 | 126.765 | 47.72% |
| Estonia | 20.366 | 21.011 | 22.189 | 24.316 | 26.439 | 28.472 | 27.859 | 31.456 | 36.443 | 38.188 | 39.510 | 19.144 | 94.00% |
| Finland | 205.855 | 210.192 | 215.717 | 224.706 | 231.905 | 238.518 | 236.387 | 248.764 | 266.135 | 272.848 | 275.963 | 70.108 | 34.06% |
| France | 2,153.733 | 2,201.402 | 2,231.819 | 2,291.681 | 2,355.363 | 2,432.207 | 2,318.276 | 2,508.102 | 2,653.997 | 2,826.542 | 2,919.900 | 766.167 | 35.57% |
| Germany | 2,984.470 | 3,087.030 | 3,195.210 | 3,333.110 | 3,434.030 | 3,537.280 | 3,450.720 | 3,682.340 | 3,989.390 | 4,219.310 | 4,328.970 | 1,344.500 | 45.05% |
| Greece | 176.072 | 175.363 | 174.448 | 177.379 | 180.616 | 185.181 | 167.540 | 184.575 | 207.009 | 224.686 | 236.736 | 60.664 | 34.45% |
| Hungary | 106.335 | 112.854 | 116.594 | 127.223 | 136.580 | 147.373 | 138.955 | 154.972 | 168.546 | 197.179 | 206.040 | 99.705 | 93.76% |
| Ireland | 200.595 | 272.283 | 275.933 | 308.366 | 335.136 | 363.753 | 381.729 | 448.445 | 520.718 | 524.729 | 562.794 | 362.199 | 180.56% |
| Italy | 1,635.871 | 1,663.278 | 1,704.857 | 1,744.493 | 1,777.744 | 1,804.067 | 1,670.012 | 1,842.507 | 1,998.073 | 2,142.602 | 2,199.619 | 563.748 | 34.46% |
| Latvia | 22.791 | 23.744 | 24.498 | 26.017 | 28.153 | 29.567 | 29.224 | 32.284 | 36.100 | 39.372 | 40.208 | 17.417 | 76.42% |
| Lithuania | 36.410 | 37.441 | 38.821 | 42.275 | 45.947 | 49.239 | 50.265 | 56.709 | 67.081 | 74.317 | 78.996 | 42.586 | 116.96% |
| Luxembourg | 51.791 | 54.142 | 56.208 | 58.169 | 60.193 | 62.415 | 64.499 | 73.040 | 76.731 | 82.116 | 86.180 | 34.389 | 66.40% |
| Malta | 8.949 | 10.221 | 10.864 | 12.536 | 13.679 | 14.594 | 14.367 | 16.676 | 18.270 | 20.541 | 22.471 | 13.522 | 151.10% |
| Netherlands | 678.627 | 699.175 | 720.175 | 750.861 | 787.273 | 829.767 | 816.463 | 891.550 | 993.820 | 1,050.133 | 1,122.459 | 443.832 | 65.40% |
| Poland | 408.715 | 432.486 | 427.659 | 469.071 | 503.951 | 538.424 | 531.827 | 583.001 | 661.712 | 751.932 | 848.491 | 439.776 | 107.60% |
| Portugal | 173.187 | 179.393 | 186.381 | 195.509 | 204.998 | 214.490 | 201.033 | 216.494 | 243.957 | 270.353 | 289.428 | 116.241 | 67.12% |
| Romania | 150.529 | 160.289 | 167.497 | 186.399 | 204.781 | 223.341 | 219.840 | 240.987 | 280.777 | 321.578 | 353.633 | 203.104 | 134.93% |
| Slovakia | 76.562 | 80.376 | 81.622 | 84.960 | 90.276 | 94.548 | 94.321 | 101.892 | 109.960 | 123.539 | 130.208 | 53.646 | 70.07% |
| Slovenia | 37.271 | 38.494 | 40.013 | 42.626 | 45.462 | 48.157 | 46.739 | 52.032 | 56.882 | 64.050 | 67.418 | 30.147 | 80.89% |
| Spain | 1,038.949 | 1,087.112 | 1,122.967 | 1,170.024 | 1,212.276 | 1,253.710 | 1,129.214 | 1,235.474 | 1,375.863 | 1,497.761 | 1,594.330 | 555.381 | 53.46% |
| Sweden | 435.640 | 452.337 | 463.919 | 474.838 | 465.753 | 474.203 | 478.107 | 533.954 | 547.190 | 535.177 | 558.044 | 122.404 | 28.10% |
| European Union (27) | 11,868.132 | 12,307.167 | 12,640.498 | 13,168.340 | 13,628.366 | 14,122.991 | 13,580.294 | 14,794.359 | 16,144.780 | 17,197.822 | 17,935.522 | 6,067.390 | 51.12% |
| Eurozone (20) | 10,299.260 | 10,660.597 | 10,953.618 | 11,366.405 | 11,743.817 | 12,137.824 | 11,615.214 | 12,612.911 | 13,725.061 | 14,598.181 | 15,152.764 | 4,853.504 | 47.12% |
| Member state | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Change from 2014 to 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | % | ||||||||||||
| Austria | 38,640 | 39,640 | 40,690 | 41,760 | 43,360 | 44,570 | 42,650 | 45,380 | 49,490 | 51,830 | 52,490 | 13,850 | 35.84% |
| Belgium | 36,130 | 36,860 | 37,810 | 38,980 | 40,210 | 41,730 | 40,190 | 43,680 | 48,250 | 50,620 | 51,860 | 15,730 | 43.54% |
| Bulgaria | 6,080 | 6,560 | 7,070 | 7,720 | 8,360 | 9,270 | 9,450 | 10,970 | 13,310 | 14,690 | 16,110 | 10,030 | 164.97% |
| Croatia | 10,450 | 10,810 | 11,400 | 12,160 | 12,960 | 13,990 | 12,840 | 14,890 | 17,260 | 19,800 | 21,710 | 11,260 | 107.75% |
| Cyprus | 20,320 | 20,810 | 21,930 | 23,230 | 24,660 | 26,110 | 24,630 | 27,850 | 31,310 | 32,720 | 34,340 | 14,020 | 69.00% |
| Czechia | 15,140 | 16,230 | 17,040 | 18,700 | 20,270 | 21,740 | 20,980 | 23,430 | 26,670 | 29,180 | 29,280 | 14,140 | 93.39% |
| Denmark | 47,070 | 47,900 | 49,270 | 51,060 | 51,950 | 53,040 | 53,540 | 58,970 | 64,730 | 63,290 | 66,230 | 19,160 | 40.71% |
| Estonia | 15,480 | 16,000 | 16,860 | 18,480 | 20,040 | 21,490 | 20,960 | 23,650 | 27,360 | 27,960 | 28,740 | 13,260 | 85.66% |
| Finland | 37,690 | 38,350 | 39,250 | 40,790 | 42,040 | 43,200 | 42,740 | 44,890 | 47,890 | 48,910 | 49,170 | 11,480 | 30.46% |
| France | 32,620 | 33,200 | 33,530 | 34,290 | 35,080 | 36,090 | 34,280 | 36,950 | 39,010 | 41,330 | 42,630 | 10,010 | 30.69% |
| Germany | 36,860 | 37,770 | 38,810 | 40,300 | 41,390 | 42,540 | 41,480 | 44,190 | 47,180 | 49,520 | 50,820 | 13,960 | 37.87% |
| Greece | 16,160 | 16,210 | 16,190 | 16,490 | 16,830 | 17,270 | 15,660 | 17,350 | 19,650 | 21,350 | 22,560 | 6,400 | 39.60% |
| Hungary | 10,810 | 11,520 | 11,950 | 13,080 | 14,070 | 15,200 | 14,370 | 16,090 | 17,600 | 20,500 | 21,470 | 10,660 | 98.61% |
| Ireland | 43,160 | 58,040 | 58,120 | 63,990 | 68,470 | 73,210 | 75,920 | 88,220 | 100,180 | 96,290 | 99,060 | 55,900 | 129.52% |
| Italy | 27,120 | 27,620 | 28,360 | 29,070 | 29,690 | 30,200 | 28,100 | 31,160 | 33,860 | 36,130 | 37,180 | 10,060 | 37.09% |
| Latvia | 11,430 | 12,010 | 12,500 | 13,400 | 14,620 | 15,450 | 15,370 | 17,130 | 19,140 | 20,930 | 21,610 | 10,180 | 89.06% |
| Lithuania | 12,400 | 12,860 | 13,490 | 14,870 | 16,300 | 17,520 | 17,890 | 20,180 | 23,820 | 25,700 | 26,990 | 14,590 | 117.66% |
| Luxembourg | 92,760 | 95,090 | 96,230 | 97,440 | 98,870 | 100,420 | 102,190 | 113,920 | 117,100 | 121,290 | 126,910 | 34,150 | 36.82% |
| Malta | 20,620 | 23,000 | 23,900 | 26,820 | 28,240 | 28,920 | 27,880 | 32,180 | 34,340 | 37,110 | 39,350 | 18,730 | 90.83% |
| Netherlands | 40,240 | 41,270 | 42,290 | 43,830 | 45,690 | 47,840 | 46,810 | 50,850 | 56,140 | 59,720 | 62,950 | 22,710 | 56.44% |
| Poland | 10,750 | 11,390 | 11,270 | 12,360 | 13,280 | 14,190 | 14,310 | 15,770 | 17,520 | 19,900 | 22,410 | 11,660 | 108.47% |
| Portugal | 16,620 | 17,280 | 18,000 | 18,910 | 19,840 | 20,710 | 19,360 | 20,800 | 23,300 | 25,560 | 27,060 | 10,440 | 62.83% |
| Romania | 7,560 | 8,090 | 8,500 | 9,510 | 10,580 | 11,590 | 11,460 | 12,660 | 14,790 | 17,010 | 18,620 | 11,060 | 146.30% |
| Slovakia | 14,130 | 14,820 | 15,030 | 15,620 | 16,580 | 17,340 | 17,270 | 18,740 | 20,170 | 22,520 | 23,810 | 9,680 | 68.51% |
| Slovenia | 18,080 | 18,660 | 19,380 | 20,630 | 21,940 | 23,050 | 22,230 | 24,680 | 26,980 | 30,160 | 31,490 | 13,410 | 74.17% |
| Spain | 22,380 | 23,440 | 24,190 | 25,160 | 25,950 | 26,620 | 23,850 | 26,090 | 28,750 | 30,970 | 32,630 | 10,250 | 45.80% |
| Sweden | 44,930 | 46,170 | 46,890 | 47,290 | 45,910 | 46,220 | 46,250 | 51,710 | 52,410 | 51,060 | 53,020 | 8,090 | 18.01% |
| European Union (27) | 26,830 | 27,770 | 28,460 | 29,600 | 30,580 | 31,630 | 30,440 | 33,180 | 35,980 | 38,140 | 39,660 | 12,830 | 47.82% |
| Eurozone (20) | 30,150 | 31,120 | 31,870 | 33,000 | 34,010 | 35,060 | 33,500 | 36,360 | 39,380 | 41,620 | 43,030 | 12,880 | 42.72% |
| Member state | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 27.4 | 27.6 | 27.0 | 27.6 | 27.2 | 27.2 | 27.9 | 26.8 | 27.5 | 27.0 | 26.7 | 27.8 |
| Belgium | 26.3 | 26.5 | 25.9 | 25.9 | 26.2 | 26.3 | 26.1 | 25.7 | 25.1 | 25.4 | 24.1 | 24.9 |
| Bulgaria | 35.0 | 33.6 | 35.4 | 35.4 | 37.0 | 37.7 | 40.2 | 39.6 | 40.8 | 40.0 | 39.7 | 38.4 |
| Croatia | 31.2 | 30.9 | 30.9 | 30.2 | 30.4 | 29.8 | 29.9 | 29.7 | 29.2 | 28.3 | 29.2 | 28.5 |
| Cyprus | 29.2 | 31.0 | 32.4 | 34.8 | 33.6 | 32.1 | 30.8 | 29.1 | 31.1 | 29.3 | 29.4 | 29.4 |
| Czech Republic | 25.2 | 24.9 | 24.6 | 25.1 | 25.0 | 25.1 | 24.5 | 24.0 | 24.0 | 24.2 | 24.9 | 24.8 |
| Denmark | 26.6 | 26.5 | 26.8 | 27.7 | 27.4 | 27.7 | 27.6 | 27.9 | 27.5 | 27.3 | 27.0 | 27.7 |
| Estonia | 31.9 | 32.5 | 32.9 | 35.6 | 34.8 | 32.7 | 31.6 | 30.6 | 30.5 | 30.5 | 30.6 | 31.9 |
| Finland | 25.8 | 25.9 | 25.4 | 25.6 | 25.2 | 25.4 | 25.3 | 25.9 | 26.2 | 26.5 | 25.7 | 26.6 |
| France | 30.8 | 30.5 | 30.1 | 29.2 | 29.2 | 29.3 | 29.3 | 28.5 | 29.2 | 29.2 | 29.3 | 29.8 |
| Germany | 29.0 | 28.3 | 29.7 | 30.7 | 30.1 | 29.5 | 29.1 | 31.1 | 29.7 | 30.5 | 31.2 | 28.8 |
| Greece | 33.5 | 34.3 | 34.4 | 34.5 | 34.2 | 34.3 | 33.4 | 32.3 | 31.0 | 31.4 | 32.4 | 31.4 |
| Hungary | 26.9 | 27.2 | 28.3 | 28.6 | 28.2 | 28.2 | 28.1 | 28.7 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 27.6 | 27.4 |
| Ireland | 29.8 | 30.5 | 30.7 | 31.1 | 29.8 | 29.5 | 30.6 | 28.9 | 28.3 | 28.3 | 26.9 | 27.9 |
| Italy | 32.5 | 32.4 | 32.8 | 32.4 | 32.4 | 33.1 | 32.7 | 33.4 | 32.8 | 32.5 | 32.9 | 32.7 |
| Latvia | 35.1 | 35.7 | 35.2 | 35.5 | 35.4 | 34.5 | 34.5 | 35.6 | 35.2 | 34.5 | 35.7 | 34.3 |
| Lithuania | 33.0 | 32.0 | 34.6 | 35.0 | 37.9 | 37.0 | 37.6 | 36.9 | 35.4 | 35.1 | 35.4 | 36.2 |
| Luxembourg | 27.2 | 28.0 | 30.4 | 28.7 | 28.5 | 31.0 | 30.9 | 31.3 | 32.3 | 31.2 | 29.6 | 29.5 |
| Malta | 27.2 | 27.1 | 27.9 | 27.7 | 28.1 | 28.5 | 28.3 | 28.7 | 28.0 | 30.3 | 31.2 | 31.1 |
| Netherlands | 25.8 | 25.4 | 25.1 | 26.2 | 26.7 | 26.9 | 27.1 | 27.4 | 26.8 | 28.2 | 26.4 | 26.3 |
| Poland | 31.1 | 30.9 | 30.7 | 30.8 | 30.6 | 29.8 | 29.2 | 27.8 | 28.5 | 27.2 | 26.8 | 26.3 |
| Portugal | 34.2 | 34.5 | 34.2 | 34.5 | 34.0 | 33.9 | 33.5 | 32.1 | 31.9 | 31.2 | 33.0 | 32.0 |
| Romania | 33.5 | 34.0 | 34.6 | 35.0 | 37.4 | 34.7 | 33.1 | 35.1 | 34.8 | 33.8 | 34.3 | 32.0 |
| Slovakia | 25.7 | 25.3 | 24.2 | 26.1 | 23.7 | 24.3 | 23.2 | 20.9 | 22.8 | 20.9 | 21.8 | 21.2 |
| Slovenia | 23.8 | 23.7 | 24.4 | 25.0 | 24.5 | 24.4 | 23.7 | 23.4 | 23.9 | 23.5 | 23.0 | 23.1 |
| Spain | 34.0 | 34.2 | 33.7 | 34.7 | 34.6 | 34.5 | 34.1 | 33.2 | 33.0 | 32.1 | 33.0 | 32.0 |
| Sweden | 26.0 | 26.0 | 26.0 | 26.9 | 26.7 | 27.6 | 28.0 | 27.0 | 27.6 | 26.9 | 26.8 | 27.6 |
| European Union | 30.5 | 30.4 | 30.6 | 30.9 | 30.8 | 30.6 | 30.3 | 30.4 | 30.2 | 30.0 | 30.2 | 29.6 |
| Eurozone | 30.6 | 30.5 | 30.7 | 31.0 | 30.7 | 30.7 | 30.4 | 30.6 | 30.2 | 30.0 | 30.2 | 29.6 |
The EU unemployment rate was 6.1% in 2023. The euro area unemployment rate was 6.6%. Among the member states, the lowest unemployment rates were recorded in the Czech Republic (2.0% in 2019), Poland (2.8% in 2023) and Germany (3.0% in 2019), and the highest in Greece (27.8% in 2013) and Spain (24.8% in 2012).[121]
The following table shows the history of the unemployment rate for all European Union member states:
| Member state | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 5.7 | 5.2 | 4.9 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 5.9 | 5.2 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 6.2 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 5.2 |
 Belgium | 8.0 | 8.4 | 7.2 | 7.6 | 8.6 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 7.9 | 7.2 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 5.6 | 5.5 | 5.7 |
| Bulgaria | 7.9 | 11.3 | 12.3 | 13.3 | 13.9 | 12.4 | 10.1 | 8.6 | 7.2 | 6.2 | 5.2 | 6.1 | 5.2 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.2 |
| Croatia | 9.2 | 11.7 | 13.7 | 16.0 | 17.3 | 17.3 | 16.2 | 13.1 | 11.2 | 8.5 | 6.6 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 6.8 | 6.1 | 5.0 |
| Cyprus | 5.4 | 6.3 | 7.9 | 11.9 | 15.9 | 16.1 | 15.0 | 13.0 | 11.1 | 8.4 | 7.1 | 7.6 | 7.2 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 4.9 |
| Czech Republic | 6.7 | 7.3 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.1 | 5.1 | 4.0 | 2.9 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 2.6 |
| Denmark | 6.4 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.4 | 6.9 | 6.3 | 6.0 | 5.8 | 5.1 | 5.0 | 5.6 | 5.1 | 4.5 | 5.1 | 6.2 |
| Estonia | 13.5 | 16.6 | 12.3 | 9.9 | 8.6 | 7.3 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 5.8 | 5.4 | 4.5 | 6.9 | 6.2 | 5.6 | 6.4 | 7.6 |
| Finland | 8.3 | 8.6 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 9.4 | 8.9 | 8.7 | 7.5 | 6.8 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 8.4 |
| France | 9.1 | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.8 | 10.3 | 10.3 | 10.3 | 10.1 | 9.4 | 9.0 | 8.4 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 7.4 |
| Germany | 7.3 | 6.6 | 5.5 | 5.1 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.4 |
| Greece | 9.8 | 12.9 | 18.1 | 24.8 | 27.8 | 26.6 | 25.0 | 23.9 | 21.8 | 19.7 | 17.9 | 17.6 | 14.7 | 12.5 | 11.1 | 10.1 |
| Hungary | 9.7 | 10.8 | 10.7 | 10.7 | 9.8 | 7.5 | 6.6 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 4.5 |
| Ireland | 12.6 | 14.6 | 15.4 | 15.5 | 13.8 | 11.9 | 9.9 | 8.4 | 6.7 | 5.8 | 5.0 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.3 |
| Italy | 7.9 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 10.9 | 12.4 | 12.9 | 12.0 | 11.7 | 11.3 | 10.6 | 9.9 | 9.3 | 9.5 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 6.5 |
| Latvia | 17.7 | 19.7 | 16.3 | 15.1 | 11.9 | 10.9 | 9.9 | 9.7 | 8.7 | 7.4 | 6.3 | 8.1 | 7.6 | 6.9 | 6.5 | 6.9 |
| Lithuania | 13.8 | 17.8 | 15.4 | 13.4 | 11.8 | 10.7 | 9.1 | 7.9 | 7.1 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 8.5 | 7.1 | 6.0 | 6.9 | 7.1 |
| Luxembourg | 5.1 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 6.7 | 6.3 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 6.8 | 5.3 | 4.6 | 5.2 | 6.4 |
| Malta | 6.9 | 6.9 | 6.4 | 6.2 | 6.1 | 5.7 | 5.4 | 4.7 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.1 |
| Netherlands | 5.4 | 6.1 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 7.9 | 7.0 | 5.9 | 4.9 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 4.2 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.7 |
| Poland | 8.5 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 9.2 | 7.7 | 6.3 | 5.0 | 3.9 | 3.3 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 2.9 |
| Portugal | 11.2 | 12.6 | 13.5 | 16.6 | 17.2 | 14.6 | 13.0 | 11.5 | 9.2 | 7.2 | 6.6 | 7.1 | 6.7 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Romania | 8.4 | 9.0 | 9.1 | 8.7 | 9.0 | 8.6 | 8.4 | 7.2 | 6.1 | 5.3 | 4.9 | 6.1 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 5.4 |
| Slovakia | 12.0 | 14.3 | 13.5 | 13.9 | 14.1 | 13.1 | 11.5 | 9.6 | 8.1 | 6.5 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 6.8 | 6.1 | 5.8 | 5.3 |
| Slovenia | 5.9 | 7.3 | 8.2 | 8.9 | 10.1 | 9.7 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 6.6 | 5.1 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| Spain | 17.9 | 19.9 | 21.4 | 24.8 | 26.1 | 24.5 | 22.1 | 19.6 | 17.2 | 15.3 | 14.1 | 15.5 | 14.9 | 13.0 | 12.2 | 11.4 |
| Sweden | 8.5 | 8.7 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 8.1 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.1 | 6.8 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 8.4 |
| European Union | 9.3 | 10.1 | 10.1 | 11.1 | 11.6 | 11.0 | 10.2 | 9.3 | 8.3 | 7.4 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.1 | 6.2 | 6.1 | 5.9 |
| Member state | Public deficit as % of GDP (2023) (E.U. limit : –3%)[122] | Public debt as % of GDP (2023) (E.U. limit : 60%)[123] | HICP inflation rate (2024) Max. 3.3% (as of 1 June 2024)[124][125] | Long-term interest rate (2024) Max. 4.8% (as of 1 June 2024)[124][126] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | -2.6 | 78.6 | 2.9 | 2.84 |
| Belgium | -4.2 | 103.1 | 4.3 | 2.92 |
| Bulgaria | -2.0 | 22.9 | 2.6 | 3.93 |
| Croatia | -0.9 | 61.8 | 4.0 | 3.31 |
| Cyprus | 2.0 | 73.6 | 2.3 | 3.13 |
| Czech Republic | -3.8 | 42.4 | 2.7 | 3.98 |
| Denmark | 3.3 | 33.6 | 1.3 | 2.3 |
| Estonia | -2.8 | 20.2 | 3.7 | 3.55 |
| Finland | -3.0 | 77.1 | 1.0 | 2.85 |
| France | -5.5 | 109.9 | 2.3 | 2.97 |
| Germany | -2.6 | 62.9 | 2.5 | 2.32 |
| Greece | -1.3 | 163.9 | 3.0 | 3.35 |
| Hungary | -6.7 | 73.4 | 3.7 | 6.5 |
| Ireland | 1.5 | 43.3 | 1.3 | 2.72 |
| Italy | -7.2 | 134.8 | 1.1 | 3.71 |
| Latvia | -2.4 | 45.0 | 1.3 | 3.29 |
| Lithuania | -0.7 | 37.3 | 0.9 | 2.88 |
| Luxembourg | -0.7 | 25.5 | 2.3 | 2.76 |
| Malta | -4.5 | 47.4 | 2.4 | 3.37 |
| Netherlands | -0.4 | 45.1 | 3.2 | 2.62 |
| Poland | -5.3 | 49.7 | 3.7 | 5.53 |
| Portugal | 1.2 | 97.9 | 2.7 | 2.96 |
| Romania | -6.5 | 48.9 | 5.8 | 6.32 |
| Slovakia | -5.2 | 57.8 | 3.2 | 3.47 |
| Slovenia | -2.6 | 68.4 | 2.0 | 3.11 |
| Spain | -3.5 | 105.1 | 2.9 | 3.15 |
| Sweden | -0.6 | 31.5 | 2.0 | 2.2 |
| European Union | -3.5 | 80.8 | 2.6 | 3.26 |
| Eurozone | -3.6 | 87.4 | 2.4 |
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The European Union is the largest exporter in the world[127] and as of 2008 the largest importer of goods and services.[128][129] Internal trade between the member states is aided by the removal of barriers to trade such astariffs andborder controls. In theeurozone, trade is helped by not having any currency differences to deal with amongst most members.[130]
TheEuropean Union Association Agreement does something similar for a much larger range of countries, partly as a so-called soft approach ('a carrot instead of a stick') to influence the politics in those countries.The European Union represents all its members at theWorld Trade Organization (WTO), and acts on behalf of member states in any disputes. When the EU negotiates trade related agreement outside the WTO framework, the subsequent agreement must be approved by each individual EU member state government.[130]
In 2023, over half of EU enterprises exported products or services (51%), while 53% imported goods or services.[131][132][133] Slovenia, Slovakia, Austria, and the Czech Republic are the countries with the most exporting businesses, Malta and Cyprus have the fewest.[134][135]
44% of EU firms that import from China reported facing transport and logistics problems in 2023, compared to 22% of firms that import solely from within the European Union.[136] 34% of EU firms were impacted by disruptions in logistics and transport.[136]
In 2023, the share of EU exports to the United States rose to 21%, compared to 14% in 2010.[137]
| Partner | Imports (mil €) | % total | Exports (mil €) | % total | Total trade (mil €) | % total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | 2,118,818 | 100% | 2,180,623 | 100% | 4,299,442 | 100% | |
| 1 |  China | 472,715 | 22,2% | 223,413 | 10,3% | 696,127 | 16,2% |
| 2 |  United States | 232,454 | 11,0% | 399,391 | 18,3% | 631,845 | 14,7% |
| 3 |  United Kingdom | 146,927 | 6,9% | 283,603 | 13,0% | 430,530 | 10,0% |
| 4 |  Switzerland | 123,672 | 5,8% | 156,480 | 7,2% | 280,152 | 6,5% |
| 5 |  Russia | 162,342 | 7,7% | 89,275 | 4,1% | 251,617 | 5,9% |
| 6 |  Turkey | 77,983 | 3,7% | 79,255 | 3,6% | 157,238 | 3,7% |
| 7 |  Norway | 74,666 | 3,5% | 56,532 | 2,6% | 131,198 | 3,1% |
| 8 |  Japan | 62,269 | 2,9% | 62,351 | 2,9% | 124,621 | 2,9% |
| 9 |  South Korea | 55,440 | 2,6% | 51,857 | 2,4% | 107,297 | 2,5% |
| 10 |  India | 46,155 | 2,2% | 41,844 | 1,9% | 87,999 | 2,1% |
| 11 |  Brazil | 32,917 | 1,6% | 33,856 | 1,6% | 66,773 | 1,6% |
| 12 |  Taiwan | 35,576 | 1,7% | 28,411 | 1,3% | 63,987 | 1,5% |
| 13 |  Mexico | 23,384 | 1,1% | 37,718 | 1,7% | 61,101 | 1,4% |
| 14 |  Canada | 23,457 | 1,1% | 37,249 | 1,7% | 60,706 | 1,4% |
| 15 |  Ukraine | 24,074 | 1,1% | 28,293 | 1,3% | 52,367 | 1,2% |
| 16 |  Vietnam | 38,507 | 1,8% | 10,628 | 0,5% | 49,136 | 1,1% |
| 17 |  Saudi Arabia | 20,842 | 1,0% | 25,007 | 1,2% | 45,849 | 1,1% |
| 18 |  South Africa | 22,059 | 1,0% | 22,010 | 1,0% | 44,069 | 1,0% |
| 19 |  Morocco | 17,979 | 0,9% | 25,133 | 1,2% | 43,112 | 1,0% |
| 20 |  Singapore | 15,604 | 0,7% | 27,276 | 1,3% | 42,880 | 1,0% |
| 21 |  Australia | 9,207 | 0,4% | 33,072 | 1,5% | 42,279 | 1,0% |
| 22 |  Malaysia | 29,152 | 1,4% | 11,762 | 0,5% | 40,914 | 1,0% |
| 23 |  United Arab Emirates | 9,426 | 0,4% | 29,813 | 1,4% | 39,239 | 0,9% |
| 24 |  Israel | 12,599 | 0,6% | 24,257 | 1,1% | 36,856 | 0,9% |
| 25 |  Thailand | 22,044 | 1,0% | 13,311 | 0,6% | 35,355 | 0,8% |
| 26 |  Serbia | 13,998 | 0,7% | 18,305 | 0,8% | 32,304 | 0,8% |
| 27 |  Algeria | 19,099 | 0,9% | 12,645 | 0,6% | 31,744 | 0,7% |
| 28 |  Egypt | 9,053 | 0,4% | 21,548 | 1,0% | 30,601 | 0,7% |
| 29 |  Hong Kong | 6,854 | 0,3% | 23,468 | 1,1% | 30,322 | 0,7% |
| 30 |  Nigeria | 17,514 | 0,8% | 11,169 | 0,5% | 28,683 | 0,5% |
| Partner | Imports (mil €) | % total | Exports (mil €) | % total | Total trade (mil €) | % total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total EU | 1,791,727 | 100% | 1,686,774 | 100% | 3,478,501 | 100% |
| ACP | 99,196 | 5,5% | 86,652 | 5,1% | 185,848 | 5,3% |
| Andean Community | 17,728 | 1,0% | 11,738 | 0,7% | 29,467 | 0,8% |
| ASEAN | 100,035 | 5,6% | 81,324 | 4,8% | 181,360 | 5,2% |
| BRIC | 577,513 | 32,2% | 345,198 | 20,5% | 922,711 | 26,5% |
| CACM | 9,546 | 0,5% | 5,354 | 0,3% | 14,900 | 0,4% |
| EU Candidate Countries | 55,386 | 3,1% | 89,654 | 5,3% | 145,040 | 4,2% |
| CIS | 273,505 | 15,3% | 172,641 | 10,2% | 446,146 | 12,8% |
| EFTA | 208,739 | 11,7% | 186,222 | 11,0% | 394,961 | 11,4% |
| Latin America Countries | 109,978 | 6,1% | 110,297 | 6,5% | 220,275 | 6,3% |
| MEDA (excl. EU and Turkey) | 73,341 | 4,1% | 92,812 | 5,5% | 166,153 | 4,8% |
| Mercosur | 49,196 | 2,7% | 50,266 | 3,0% | 99,461 | 2,9% |
| NAFTA | 255,657 | 14,3% | 351,090 | 20,8% | 606,746 | 17,4% |
| Main trade partners[139] | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exports (million euro) | Imports (million euro) | Total Trade (million euro) | Exports | Imports | Total Trade | Exports | Imports | Total Trade | Exports | Imports | Total Trade | |
| Total EU | 1,319,819 | 1,582,932 | 2,902,751 | 1,101,746 | 1,234,317 | 2,336,063 | 1,360,059 | 1,531,043 | 2,891,102 | 1,561,890 | 1,726,514 | 3,288,404 |
| United States | 247,818 | 182,351 | 430,169 | 203,587 | 154,862 | 358,449 | 242,451 | 173,067 | 415,518 | 263,791 | 191,555 | 455,346 |
| China | 78,276 | 247,815 | 326,091 | 82,391 | 214,238 | 296,629 | 113,426 | 282,509 | 395,935 | 136,372 | 293,693 | 430,065 |
| Russia | 104,843 | 178,294 | 283,137 | 65,587 | 118,122 | 183,709 | 86,134 | 160,709 | 246,843 | 108,355 | 199,922 | 308,277 |
| Switzerland | 100,537 | 82,348 | 182,885 | 88,693 | 80,570 | 169,263 | 110,401 | 85,228 | 195,629 | 142,022 | 93,202 | 235,224 |
| Norway | 43,698 | 95,888 | 139,586 | 37,476 | 68,864 | 106,340 | 41,914 | 78,981 | 120,895 | 46,678 | 93,813 | 140,491 |
| Japan | 42,347 | 76,177 | 118,524 | 35,932 | 58,233 | 94,165 | 43,948 | 67,258 | 111,206 | 49,018 | 69,549 | 118,567 |
| Turkey | 54,415 | 45,963 | 100,378 | 44,385 | 36,228 | 80,613 | 61,747 | 42,397 | 104,144 | 73,096 | 48,143 | 121,239 |
| India | 31,349 | 29,540 | 60,889 | 27,477 | 25,414 | 52,891 | 34,866 | 33,308 | 68,112 | 40,558 | 39,906 | 80,464 |
| South Korea | 25,491 | 39,565 | 65,056 | 21,596 | 32,370 | 53,966 | 27,957 | 39,391 | 67,348 | 32,510 | 36,175 | 68,685 |
| Brazil | 26,302 | 35,855 | 62,157 | 21,574 | 25,926 | 47,500 | 31,466 | 33,238 | 64,704 | 35,752 | 38,939 | 74,691 |
| Canada | 25,468 | 25,043 | 50,511 | 21,934 | 19,285 | 41,219 | 26,758 | 24,697 | 51,455 | 29,885 | 30,708 | 60,593 |
| Singapore | 22,213 | 16,137 | 38,350 | 20,404 | 14,579 | 34,983 | 24,550 | 18,760 | 43,310 | 27,256 | 19,184 | 46,440 |
| South Africa | 20,800 | 24,597 | 45,397 | 16,083 | 19,229 | 35,312 | 21,755 | 20,406 | 42,161 | 26,212 | 21,807 | 48,019 |
| Saudi Arabia | 21,081 | 22,001 | 43,082 | 19,068 | 11,766 | 30,834 | 23,216 | 16,300 | 39,516 | 26,401 | 28,440 | 54,841 |
| Taiwan | 11,595 | 24,069 | 35,660 | 10,021 | 17,875 | 27,896 | 14,782 | 24,138 | 38,920 | 16,212 | 24,230 | 40,532 |
| Hong Kong | 21,786 | 12,258 | 34,044 | 19,667 | 13,277 | 32,944 | 27,250 | 14,302 | 41,552 | 30,763 | 10,969 | 41,732 |
| Australia | 26,689 | 13,785 | 40,474 | 21,930 | 9,923 | 31,853 | 26,955 | 12,454 | 39,409 | 31,159 | 14,944 | 46,103 |
| Algeria | 15,391 | 28,259 | 43,650 | 14,807 | 17,410 | 32,217 | 15,584 | 21,069 | 36,653 | 17,279 | 27,844 | 45,123 |
 Libya | 5,836 | 35,308 | 41,144 | 6,484 | 20,870 | 27,354 | 7,087 | 29,230 | 36,317 | 2,093 | 10,444 | 12,537 |
| Mexico | 21,976 | 13,981 | 35,597 | 15,988 | 10,135 | 26,123 | 21,342 | 13,748 | 35,090 | 23,908 | 16,985 | 40,893 |
‹ Thetemplate below (Graph:Chart) is being considered for deletion. Seetemplates for discussion to help reach a consensus. ›
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| Sources: Eurostat [ext_lt_intertrd][140] |
‹ Thetemplate below (Graph:Chart) is being considered for deletion. Seetemplates for discussion to help reach a consensus. ›
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| Sources: Eurostat, December 2019 Euro area international trade in goods surplus€23.1 bn€23.4 bn surplus for EU27 |
Comparing the richest areas of the EU can be a difficult task. This is because theNUTS 1 and 2 regions are not homogenous, some of them being very large regions, such as NUTS-1Hesse (21,100 km2) or NUTS-1Île-de-France (12,011 km2), whilst other NUTS regions are much smaller, for example NUTS-1Hamburg (755 km2). An extreme example is Finland, which is divided for historical reasons into mainland Finland with 5.3 million inhabitants andÅland, an autonomous archipelago with a population of 27,000, or about the population of a small Finnish city.
One problem with this data is that some areas are subject to a large number ofcommuters coming into the area, thereby artificially inflating the figures. It has the effect of raising GDP but not altering the number of people living in the area, inflating the GDP per capita figure. Similar problems can be produced by a large number of tourists visiting the area.The data is used to define regions that are supported with financial aid in programs such as theEuropean Regional Development Fund.The decision to delineate aNomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) region is to a large extent arbitrary (i.e. not based on objective and uniform criteria across Europe), and is decided at European level (See also:Regions of the European Union).
The top 10NUTS-1 and NUTS-2 regions with the highest GDP per capita are almost all, except one, in the first fifteen-member states:Prague is the only one in the13 new member states that joined in May 2004, January 2007 and July 2013. The leading regions in the ranking of NUTS-2 regional GDP per inhabitant in 2019 were the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (260%), the Southern region ofIreland (240%), and Prague,Czech Republic (205%). Figures for these three regions, however, were artificially inflated by the commuters who do not reside in these regions ("Net commuter inflows in these regions push up production to a level that could not be achieved by the resident active population on its own. The result is that GDP per inhabitant appears to be overestimated in these regions and underestimated in regions with commuter outflows.".[141] Another example of artificial inflation is Groningen. The calculated GDP per capita is very high because of the large natural gas reserves in this region, but Groningen is one of the poorest parts in the Netherlands.
Among the 16 NUTS-2 regions exceeding the 160% level in 2020, two were in Belgium, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands and one each in the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden, as well as in the single region Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
The NUTS Regulation lays down a minimum population size of 3 million and a maximum size of 7 million for the average NUTS-1 region, whereas a minimum of 800,000 and a maximum of 3 million for NUTS-2 regions.[142] This definition, however, is not respected by Eurostat. For example, therégion ofÎle-de-France, with 11.6 million inhabitants, is treated as a NUTS-2 region, while thestateFree Hanseatic City of Bremen, with only 664,000 inhabitants, is treated as a NUTS-1 region.
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Among the lowest regions in the ranking in 2021 most were in Bulgaria, with the lowest figure recorded inSouth-Central Region.Among the poorest 20 regions, six were in Greece, five in Bulgaria, three in Hungary, two in France and one each in Croatia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Regarding Capital Markets Union, the European Commission's plan to improve access to non-bank financing across the EU, he said the "departure of the UK makes this project even more important and even more urgent. It will have to compensate for the EU's largest financial centre not being in the EU and not being in the single market any more"
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)| System | |||
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