A new study of the European Commission demonstrates the large impact of EU exports on employment

The European Commission has published an analysis of the impact of EU exports on employment, which shows that a large number of jobs in the EU exist thanks to exports to non-EU countries. The following are the main findings of the study:

• in 2019, over 38 million jobs in the EU are directly or indirectly supported by EU exports, 11 million more than a decade ago. Out of the 38 million jobs, 14 million jobs corresponded to women.
• export-supported jobs in the EU are on average 12% better paid than those of the economy as a whole.
• the sharp increase in export-supported jobs between 2000-2019 mirrors the strong increase in EU exports (130%) during the same period.

EU exports have also had a major impact on employment in non-EU member States such as India, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. In 2019, the study found that over 24 million jobs in those partner countries were supported by EU exports.

Over the 2000-2019 period considered, 67 bilateral trade agreements between the EU and third countries have come into force, reducing tariffs and increasing trade and investment flows among the parties to the agreements. 

In sum, the European Commission’s study demonstrates that more trade means more jobs. Its findings strongly back

• the negotiation of trade agreements, at multilateral, regional or bilateral levels, as a way to unlock new opportunities.
• efforts to ensure the full enforcement of agreements in place. 

The Chief Economist note summarising the study is available at https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2018/november/tradoc_157517.pdf

while the full study is available at

https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2018/november/tradoc_157516.pdf