According to Open4business, almost 31.6 million jobs in the countries of the European Union in 2024 provided by final demand for European goods and services from non-EU countries, Eurostat reported on July 20, 2026.
This indicator is 14.4% of total employment in the European Union. In 2010, external demand provided 22.6 million jobs, or 11.5% of employment. Thus, over 14 years, the number of jobs linked to foreign consumers increased by approximately 9 million.
Gross value added created in the EU through final consumption and investment outside its borders increased from €1.3 trillion in 2010 to €2.788 trillion in 2024. Its share in the total added value of the economy of the European Union increased from 13.3% to 17.2%.
The largest foreign market for the European economy remains the USA. American demand supported about 6 million jobs in the EU, or 19.1% of all employment related to final demand outside the bloc. The US also accounted for €585.8 billion of value added — 21% of the total.
Great Britain provided demand that supported 3.4 million jobs in the European Union, or 10.6% of corresponding employment. China ranked third with 3.1 million jobs and a share of 9.8%. At the same time, in terms of the amount of added value created, with 289.8 billion euros, China was ahead of Great Britain, whose indicator was 276 billion euros.
Swiss demand supported about 1.5 million jobs in the EU and provided 126.6 billion euros of added value.
Eurostat calculations are based on interstate FIGARO tables and take into account not only employees of companies that directly export products, but also and employment in the entire production chain — at suppliers of raw materials, components, and services. External final demand refers to goods and services purchased outside the EU for consumption or investment.
Eurostat also provides a broader indicator of the impact of exports, which includes intermediate goods and services: in 2024, exports to countries outside the EU provided 32.9 million jobs, or 15% of total employment, and created €2.905 trillion in value added.
The growing dependence of European employment on external markets increases the importance of the EU's trade relations with the USA, Great Britain and China. Possible tariffs, trade restrictions or reduced demand in these countries could affect not only European exporters, but also companies operating within their related production chains.
