Assessing large-scale restructuring events across EU member states between 2003 and 2023

This study uses Eurofound’s European Restructuring Monitor (ERM) data to examine the spatial and sectoral distribution of large-scale restructuring events – such as company closures, bankruptcies, mergers and acquisition, business relocation and expansions – across EU regions between 2003 and 2023. A large-scale restructuring is defined as job losses or gains involving at least 100 jobs or more than 10% of the workforce at company sites with over 250 employees. The analysis focuses on the frequency and direct employment impact of these events at regional level and classifies them according to the 14 Industrial Ecosystems identified by the European Commission. During the period 2003-2023, job losses – approximately 4.8 million – significantly outnumber job gains, which total around 2.3 million, resulting in a net loss of over 2.4 million jobs. Among these, the ‘Mobility-Transport-Automotive’ sector and the ‘Energy-Intensive Industry’ account for the largest share of announced job losses, with the former also recording the highest share of job gains, resulting in a limited net reduction in employment. The findings reveal substantial variation in restructuring patterns across EU regions: Central European countries, notably France and Germany, report the highest number of announced job losses, while Eastern European countries, along with Portugal and Ireland, record most job gains – leading to a positive overall net employment effect in these countries.