Economy | Knowledge for policy

Bioeconomy

Brief me

Contribution of the bioeconomy to jobs and growth in the EU (2024).

In 2023, the biomass producing and converting sectors of the EU economy generated up to €863 billion in value added in the European Union (5.0% of the EU GDP).
17.1 million jobs were created, accounting for 7.9% of total EU employment. While the number of jobs is similar to that of 2022, some bio-based manufacturing activities, such as bio-based chemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastics and rubber or the manufacture of food products and beverages, did show an increase in the number of persons employed.
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.

Find out more in the brief!

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

Interact with the dashboard to display, analyse and download the data you need!

Know more about the centre of the current EU economic agenda.

Access the stakeholder platform that promotes collaboration among industry leaders, public authorities, and other key stakeholders.

View 2023 data on employment and value added for the European bioeconomy in an infographic.

This database quantifies employment, value added and turnover in the bioeconomy and in bioeconomy sectors.

Explore the map in the KCB country dashboard and compare how value added, turnover and employment of the bio-based sectors vary between countries.

Access results from the economic analysis of agriculture and sustainable resources conducted by the European Commission and partners.

PUBLICATION | 23 Jan 2026