A new study prepared by Dutch consulting company Ecorys reveals the positive economic performance of the European railway sector. The European railway sector has above-average productivity levels and is the backbone of a major export success story.
According to Ecorys estimates, the EU railway sector, so including both train operation and railway infrastructure management, directly employs 1.06 million people and directly generates EUR 66 billion in gross value added annually. Measured in these terms, the rail sector’s contribution to GDP is higher than that of air or water transport. Including indirect economic effects relating to supplier relations and to the effects of infrastructure investments leads to a total estimated contribution of EUR 142 billion – or 1.1% of EU GDP.
In terms of productivity the rail sector performs far better than what may be commonly believed. After many years of reform and restructuring, the sector’s labour productivity started to increase. Still below the economy-wide average in 2003, the rail sector had clearly overtaken the average by 2012.
The EU railway market is also the spring-board for a very successful European railway manufacturing sector. The EU railway supply industry is the largest in the world, with a 20% share in global trade. It is also a high R&D intensity sector – meaning high-skill jobs for Europe.
For more details: http://www.cer.be/press/press-releases/press-releases/more-than-what-you-think-how-railway-transport-contributes-to-the-eu-economy/
Share on:
