EU manufacturing employed 32.5 million people in 2022, about 13.8% of total employment and down 0.5% from the prior year. In the energy figures, EU industry final consumption reached 2,300 TWh in 2022, with manufacturing taking 70% of that load. This overview maps how workforce shifts and energy demand are moving together across sectors and countries.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, EU manufacturing sector employed 32.5 million people, representing 13.8% of total employment, down 0.5% from 2021
- In 2022, EU industry final energy consumption was 2,300 TWh, 25% of total EU energy use, manufacturing 70% share
- In 2022, the European Union's industrial production index (2015=100) reached 102.4, marking a 1.2% increase from 2021, with manufacturing subsector contributing 92.5% of the total index value
- In 2022, EU industry R&D expenditure totaled €100 billion, 10% of total EU R&D, manufacturing 70% share
- In 2022, EU industrial goods exports reached €1.2 trillion, 50% of total EU exports, machinery 20% share
EU industry output grew steadily, signaling strengthening demand across Europe.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment and Workforce29 stats
01
In 2022, EU manufacturing sector employed 32.5 million people, representing 13.8% of total employment, down 0.5% from 2021
02
Germany's industrial workforce stood at 7.8 million in 2023, with 2.1 million in automotive manufacturing
03
EU chemicals industry employed 1.2 million directly in 2022, plus 2.5 million indirectly
04
France's manufacturing employment was 2.9 million in Q4 2023, stable from prior year
05
Italy's industrial sector jobs totaled 4.1 million in 2022, machinery 650,000 workers
06
EU steel sector employment 325,000 direct jobs in 2022, down 1.8% YoY
07
Spain's manufacturing workforce 2.4 million in 2023, food industry 450,000
08
Poland's industrial employment grew to 2.6 million in 2023, up 1.2%
09
Netherlands chemicals employment 92,000 in 2022
10
EU pharma industry direct jobs 820,000 in 2023, R&D roles 15%
11
Belgium's manufacturing employment 650,000 in 2023, chemicals 120,000
12
Sweden's industrial workforce 580,000 in 2022, metals 180,000
13
Austria's manufacturing jobs 700,000 in 2023, machinery sector 150,000
14
Czech Republic automotive employment 400,000 in 2022, 20% of industrial jobs
15
EU electronics sector employed 2.1 million in 2022
16
Hungary's manufacturing workforce 1.1 million in 2023, electronics 300,000
17
Finland's industrial employment 300,000 in 2022, wood processing 50,000
18
Denmark's manufacturing jobs 250,000 in 2023, pharma 25,000
19
Slovakia's industrial employment 550,000 in 2022, automotive 250,000
20
EU food and beverage manufacturing employed 4.8 million in 2022
21
Portugal's textile employment 120,000 in 2023
22
Romania's manufacturing workforce 1.5 million in 2022, up 2.1%
23
Greece's industrial employment 200,000 in 2023, food sector 60,000
24
Bulgaria's manufacturing jobs 350,000 in 2022, metals 80,000
25
Ireland's pharma employment 55,000 in 2023, 50,000 indirect
26
EU industrial employment share in total employment fell to 13.5% in 2023 from 14% in 2019
27
Lithuania's manufacturing workforce 200,000 in 2022, furniture 40,000
28
Latvia's industrial employment 110,000 in 2023, wood 30,000
29
Estonia's manufacturing jobs 90,000 in 2022, electronics 25,000
Interpretation
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
While Europe's industrial heart still beats with over 30 million workers, its pulse is subtly shifting, as the steady decline in its overall employment share reveals an economy being quietly reshaped by automation, outsourcing, and the ascent of services, even as national champions like German autos and Czech machinery continue to flex their considerable muscle.
02 · Category
Energy Consumption and Sustainability30 stats
01
In 2022, EU industry final energy consumption was 2,300 TWh, 25% of total EU energy use, manufacturing 70% share
02
Germany's industrial energy use 1,200 TWh in 2023, chemicals 30% of it
03
EU steel industry energy intensity improved 2.1% to 18.5 GJ/tonne in 2022
04
France's industrial electricity consumption 150 TWh in 2022, down 3% YoY
05
EU chemicals sector energy consumption 650 TWh in 2022, 28% renewable share
06
Italy's manufacturing energy use 250 TWh in 2023, natural gas 45%
07
EU cement industry CO2 emissions 211 million tonnes in 2022, 5% reduction via efficiency
08
Spain's industrial energy intensity 5.2 toe per €1,000 value added in 2022
09
Poland's heavy industry energy consumption 180 TWh in 2023, coal 40% share
10
Netherlands refineries processed 70 million tonnes oil in 2022, energy use 25 TWh
11
EU pulp and paper energy use 400 TWh in 2022, 50% self-generated biomass
12
Belgium's chemical plants energy efficiency up 1.8% in 2023, consumption 120 TWh
13
Sweden's steel industry renewable energy share 40% in 2022, total use 50 TWh
14
Austria's industrial GHG emissions 25 million tonnes CO2eq in 2022, down 4%
15
Czech Republic manufacturing energy 60 TWh in 2023, electricity 55%
16
EU glass sector energy consumption 120 TWh in 2022, recycled content 75%
17
Finland's energy-intensive industries used 100 TWh electricity in 2022
18
Denmark's industrial energy consumption 35 TWh in 2023, renewables 60%
19
Slovakia's automotive energy use 20 TWh in 2022
20
EU textile industry water use 20 billion m³ in 2022, energy 80 TWh
21
Hungary's manufacturing CO2 emissions 40 million tonnes in 2023
22
Portugal's pulp energy self-sufficiency 120% in 2022, total 15 TWh
23
Romania's industrial energy 70 TWh in 2022, efficiency up 2.5%
24
Greece's manufacturing energy consumption 25 TWh in 2023
25
Ireland's pharma energy use 10 TWh in 2022, low-carbon 30%
26
EU industry renewable energy share reached 23% in 2022, up from 20% in 2019
27
Lithuania's industrial energy intensity down 3.1% to 0.25 toe/€1,000 GVA in 2023
28
Latvia's manufacturing energy 12 TWh in 2022, wood biomass 35%
29
Estonia's oil shale industry energy 15 TWh in 2023
30
Bulgaria's industrial energy consumption 30 TWh in 2022
Interpretation
Energy Consumption and Sustainability Interpretation
Europe's industrial engine is a voracious beast consuming a quarter of the bloc's energy, yet it's on a grudging diet of efficiency gains and renewable sips, with Germany's chemical appetite and Poland's coal habit showing just how messy this green transition feast really is.
03 · Category
Production and Output30 stats
01
In 2022, the European Union's industrial production index (2015=100) reached 102.4, marking a 1.2% increase from 2021, with manufacturing subsector contributing 92.5% of the total index value
02
EU-27 industrial production in manufacturing of food products, beverages, and tobacco products grew by 2.8% year-on-year in December 2023, reaching an index of 108.7 (2015=100)
03
In Q4 2023, Germany's industrial production volume decreased by 1.6% compared to Q4 2022, with the manufacturing sector at 97.3 index points (2015=100)
04
EU chemical industry production index stood at 104.5 (2020=100) in 2023, reflecting a 3.1% growth driven by basic chemicals up 4.2%
05
France's industrial production in mechanical and electrical equipment rose 1.9% in 2022, achieving 106.2 index (2015=100)
06
EU steel production totaled 126.3 million tonnes in 2022, down 6.5% from 2021, with Italy leading at 21.8 million tonnes
07
Netherlands' industrial output in basic metals increased by 5.4% in 2023 to index 112.1 (2015=100)
08
EU pharmaceutical production value reached €300 billion in 2022, with 70% from biologics and generics
09
Spain's manufacturing production index for textiles, wearing apparel grew 3.2% YoY in Jan 2024 to 105.8
10
EU cement production was 169.5 million tonnes in 2022, a 4.1% decline, led by Germany's 32.4 million tonnes
11
Italy's machinery production index hit 110.3 (2015=100) in 2023, up 2.7% from prior year
12
EU electronics production value €250 billion in 2022, with semiconductors at 15% share declining due to shortages
13
Poland's industrial production grew 4.1% YoY in 2023, metals sector up 6.2% to index 115.4
14
EU glass production reached 39.5 million tonnes in 2022, flat glass up 1.2%
15
Belgium's chemical production index 107.8 (2015=100) in 2023, growth of 2.9%
16
EU rubber and plastics production 52 million tonnes in 2022, up 1.8%
17
Sweden's metal products manufacturing output index 103.2 in Q1 2024, down 0.8% YoY
18
EU paper and pulp production 78 million tonnes in 2022, down 2.3%
19
Austria's industrial production in electrical equipment up 3.5% to 109.1 index in 2023
20
EU leather and footwear production value €12 billion in 2022, decline of 5.6%
21
Denmark's food processing industry output grew 2.1% in 2023 to €25 billion value added
22
EU furniture production 120 million tonnes turnover in 2022, Italy 50% share
23
Finland's wood processing production index 98.7 in 2023, down 4.2% due to exports
24
EU non-metallic minerals production index 101.5 (2015=100) in 2022
25
Czech Republic's automotive parts production up 7.3% YoY in 2023 to 112.6 index
26
EU textile production value €170 billion in 2022, down 3.8%
27
Hungary's electronics manufacturing output index 118.4 in 2023, growth 5.9%
28
EU aerospace production 1,200 commercial aircraft deliveries in 2023, value €100 billion
29
Slovakia's metalworking production up 4.5% to €15 billion in 2022
30
EU printing and recording media production turnover €80 billion in 2022, decline 2.1%
Interpretation
Production and Output Interpretation
Even as Europe's factories hum along with overall growth, the continent's industrial landscape reveals a patchwork of resilience and strain, where powerhouse sectors like German manufacturing show worrying fatigue while nations like Poland and the Netherlands forge ahead, painting a picture of an uneven recovery grappling with energy shocks and shifting global demand.
More related reading
04 · Category
Research, Development, and Innovation28 stats
01
In 2022, EU industry R&D expenditure totaled €100 billion, 10% of total EU R&D, manufacturing 70% share
02
Germany's industrial R&D investment €85 billion in 2023, automotive 25%
03
EU chemicals R&D spending €12 billion in 2022, 2.5% of sales
04
France's manufacturing R&D €25 billion in 2023, aero 30%
05
Italy's industry R&D €18 billion in 2022, machinery 20%
06
EU pharma R&D €50 billion in 2023, 20% of sales
07
Spain's industrial R&D intensity 1.8% of GDP in 2022, €12 billion
08
Poland's manufacturing R&D up 15% to €3 billion in 2023
09
Netherlands R&D in chemicals €4.5 billion in 2022
10
Sweden's industrial R&D €15 billion in 2023, telecom 25%
11
Belgium pharma R&D €6 billion in 2022
12
Austria's manufacturing R&D €5.2 billion in 2023, 2.9% intensity
13
Czech Republic automotive R&D €1.8 billion in 2022
14
EU steel R&D €1.2 billion in 2023, low-carbon tech 40%
15
Finland's forest industry R&D €500 million in 2022
16
Denmark's green tech R&D in industry €2 billion in 2023
17
Hungary's electronics R&D €800 million in 2022
18
Portugal's textile R&D €200 million in 2023, sustainable 60%
19
Romania industrial R&D €1 billion in 2022, up 10%
20
Greece manufacturing R&D €900 million in 2023
21
Ireland's industry R&D €12 billion in 2022, pharma 80%
22
EU patents from industry 150,000 in 2022, 60% manufacturing
23
Slovakia's R&D expenditure in industry €700 million in 2023
24
Lithuania's manufacturing R&D €150 million in 2022
25
Latvia industrial R&D €100 million in 2023, ICT 30%
26
Estonia's R&D in manufacturing €250 million in 2022
27
Bulgaria's industrial R&D €300 million in 2023, up 12%
28
EU industry venture capital investment €15 billion in 2023, cleantech 25%
Interpretation
Research, Development, and Innovation Interpretation
While Europe's industrial engine is firing with €100 billion in R&D, its performance is strikingly uneven, revealing a continent powered by a few German automotive giants, hyper-specialized national champions in French aerospace or Belgian pharma, and a worrying overdependence on sectors like manufacturing that generate the bulk of patents but leave the bloc’s green and digital transitions perilously underfunded.
05 · Category
Trade, Exports, and Competitiveness27 stats
01
In 2022, EU industrial goods exports reached €1.2 trillion, 50% of total EU exports, machinery 20% share
02
Germany's machinery exports €250 billion in 2023, US 12% destination
03
EU chemicals exports €250 billion in 2022, Asia 25%
04
France's aerospace exports €40 billion in 2023
05
Italy's mechanical engineering exports €100 billion in 2022, Germany 15%
06
EU automotive exports 6.5 million vehicles in 2023, value €300 billion
07
Spain's vehicle exports €30 billion in 2022
08
Poland's machinery exports up 8% to €40 billion in 2023
09
Netherlands chemicals exports €90 billion in 2022
10
Sweden's telecom equipment exports €20 billion in 2023
11
Belgium's pharma exports €60 billion in 2022, US 20%
12
Austria's metal products exports €25 billion in 2023
13
Czech Republic car exports 1.2 million units in 2022, €50 billion
14
Finland's paper exports €12 billion in 2023
15
Denmark's pharma exports €15 billion in 2022
16
Hungary's electronics exports €35 billion in 2023
17
Portugal's footwear exports €2 billion in 2022
18
Romania's automotive exports €20 billion in 2023
19
Greece's food exports €5 billion in 2022
20
Ireland's chemical exports €100 billion in 2023, pharma 90%
21
EU steel exports 40 million tonnes in 2022, Turkey 15%
22
Slovakia's vehicle exports €25 billion in 2023
23
Lithuania's furniture exports €1.5 billion in 2022
24
Latvia's wood exports €4 billion in 2023
25
Estonia's electronics exports €3 billion in 2022
26
Bulgaria's metals exports €10 billion in 2023
27
EU industry trade surplus €400 billion in 2022, machinery key driver
Interpretation
Trade, Exports, and Competitiveness Interpretation
The European Union’s industrial might is a finely-tuned export machine, where Germany’s mechanical muscle, France’s aerospace altitude, and an army of specialist nations from Czech carmakers to Irish pharmaceutical giants combine to generate a staggering €400 billion trade surplus.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Eu Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/eu-industry-statistics
MLA
David Kowalski. "Eu Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/eu-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Kowalski. 2026. "Eu Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/eu-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
43 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level