Large enterprises lead the EU services exports

In 2022, most of the services exports from the EU to non-EU countries (56%) were carried out by large enterprises with 250 or more employees. Small enterprises (up to 49 employees) accounted for 14% of exports and medium-sized enterprises (50 to 249 employees) for 10%, while the size of the exporting enterprise for the remaining 20% of exports is unknown.

In most EU countries, large enterprises accounted for the majority of services exported outside the EU, with the largest contributions recorded in Finland (74%), Germany (72%) and Slovakia (70%).

Small enterprises led exports in Malta (86%), Estonia (59%) and Luxembourg (49%), while medium-sized enterprises accounted for the majority of exports in Bulgaria (28%).

Exports of services to countries outside the EU by enterprise size, %. Chart. See link to the full dataset below.

Source dataset: ext_stec01

This information comes from data on services trade by enterprise characteristics (STEC). This article presents a handful of findings from a more detailed Statistics Explained article on services trade by enterprise characteristics - STEC.

Foreign-controlled enterprises lead EU services exports

Foreign-controlled enterprises (including those controlled by institutional units from other EU countries) play a dominant role in driving services exports from the EU countries.

The share in exports by foreign-controlled enterprises was the highest in Luxembourg (85%), Ireland (80%) and the Netherlands (64%).

Enterprises under domestic control led services exports in Denmark (79%), Finland (70%) and France (63%).

Exports of services to countries outside the EU by enterprise ownership status, %. Chart. See link to the full dataset below.