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EU industrial structure 2011 — Trends and Performance
Overview
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This publication aims to satisfy the increasing
need for analysis of the competitiveness of the EU
economy from a sectoral perspective. Analyses of
this kind provide evidence of the industrial structure
in the different Member States, differences in
performance of different sectors within the EU, and
differences in sector performance across Member
States. They yield insight into the competitiveness
of different sectors and how they are affected by
business fluctuations. The EU industrial structure is
one of the few publications that present this view.
Together with the publications of Eurostat, 2 it is
unique in this respect. Throughout the publication,
the term ‘sectors’ is used interchangeably with
‘industries’ unless otherwise specified.
This publication can be used by economists and
policy makers in the EU and Member States or
anyone outside the EU interested in the structure
and performance of EU industries. Academics,
journalists, organisations and citizens who are
interested in different aspects of the EU economy
from a sectoral perspective may also find useful
information in this publication.
Chapter I contain analyses of short run fluctuations
impacting on EU sectors. The impacts of the latest
recession are compared across sectors. The latest
recession is compared to the previous two, since 1990, in
terms of size, duration and diffusion of the crisis. As most
industries seem to have moved out from the trough of the
recession, the recovery process is also compared across
sectors. It should be noted that since the analyses in the
chapter are based on short term indicators; the results
2 See for example ‘Eurostatistics. Data for short term economic
analysis.’ and ‘European Business: Facts and figures.’
are based on data that were available at the time of the
drafting of the report. Chapter II analyses the industrial
structure of the EU. The focus is on the sectoral structure
and specialisation. Some of the analyses use sectoral
taxonomies to aid comparison between sectors and
countries with respect to, for example, the technology
intensity of sectors. The chapter also provides a breakdown
of enterprises in size categories in terms of value added.
The last section of the chapter consists of case studies
analysing sectoral inter‑relations over time. Chapter III
aims to analyse industrial growth and competitiveness
within the EU from different perspectives. Assessments
of competitiveness are made from labour productivity
and unit labour costs developments in the EU. The use of
growth factors — labour, human capital, investments, and
technology — in the sectors is analysed using indicators.
Also, some results in terms of innovation are presented.
The last section of chapter III analyses developments
on the demand side, with special attention to product
composition and developments in private consumption
and investments. The analyses in chapter IV are devoted
to the external competitiveness of EU industry. A set of
indicators are presented aiming to show the performances
of EU manufacturing and services. Along with indicators
of export shares in world markets, relative trade balance,
revealed comparative advantage (RCA) and intra‑industry
trade (IIT), foreign direct investments is presented as an
indicator of the international movement of factors, and
patent data as indicators of the internationalisation of R&D.
The chapter also contains a section presenting indicators
showing the importance of trade in intermediate products
in different respects. These indicators aim to offer insight
into the significance of global value chains for EU sectors.
Finally, Annex A1 presents the statistical nomenclatures
used in the report and includes the abridged names of the
categories used in throughout.
The analyses of industrial structure and economic
developments are based on a set of indicators. The use of