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The EU bioeconomy at a glance: Focus on economic value added, employment and innovation

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Abstract

The bioeconomy encompasses a wide range of activities that utilise renewable biological resources, from agriculture and forestry to biotechnology and bio-based industries, to produce food, materials, and energy, as well as related services. In 2023, the biomass producing and converting sectors created 17.1 million jobs, equivalent to 7.9% of total EU’s employment. Additionally, it generated a value added of EUR 863 billion, accounting for 5% of EU’s GDP. The bio-based industry accounted for EUR 583 billion in economic value added, half of which (EUR 305 billion) are generated by food, beverages and other agro-manufacturing. The manufacturing of bio-based pharmaceuticals with EUR 102 billion, followed by wood products and furniture (EUR 61 billion), paper (EUR 52 billion), and bio-based textiles (EUR 29 billion), bio-based chemicals (EUR 14 billion) and bio-based plastics and rubber (EUR 4 billion). When including the services, the size of all bioeconomy-relevant sectors is significantly higher. The bioeconomy-relevant sectors generated EUR 1.9-2.7 trillion in value added (11-16% of EU’s GDP) and created between 42 and 60 million jobs (19-28% of EU’s total employment). In 2023, the business expenditure in research and development (R&D) from the biomass producing and converting sectors in the EU was estimated at EUR 17.3 billion, corresponding to 6.7% of the total EU's business expenditure in R&D. If related scientific and knowledge-based activities are included, the amount is EUR 23.2 billion (9.0% of total EU´s business expenditure). Over the last years, the socioeconomic indicators of the bioeconomy have shown an increasing contribution to GDP and R&D expenditure, evincing the potential for fostering innovation, productivity and competitiveness.

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  • Lasarte Lopez Jesus & M'barek Robert, 2025. "The EU bioeconomy at a glance: Focus on economic value added, employment and innovation," JRC Research Reports JRC143759, Joint Research Centre.
    • Handle: RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc143759
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    2. Tévécia Ronzon & Robert M’Barek, 2018. "Socioeconomic Indicators to Monitor the EU’s Bioeconomy in Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-22, May.
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