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Business services

This sector covers a broad range of industries involved in the provision of a range of business services, including those related to providing:  professional advice and consulting services; facilities management; information and communication services, and arts, entertainment and recreation services. Business services includes the following industry groups: banking and finance; insurance; professional services (such as those provided by lawyers, accountants, engineers, computer programmers and analysts, advertising and marketing professionals, etc.); business services; and arts and recreation.  As can be seen it covers a wide variety of activities from those related to finance to those associated with arts and entertainment.

Future employment growth (in %) in business services sector across Member States in 2016-2030

In 2016, the share of business services in total EU employment was 21.83%.

During the period 2011-2016, the employment level of business services in EU changed by 7.3%.

The countries with highest employment share of business services in 2016 were:

  • Luxembourg 32.87%
  • Cyprus 26.83%
  • United Kingdom 26.66%
  • Sweden 26.23%
  • Italy 24.48%

The occupations with the largest numbers of people employed in business services in 2016 in EU were:

  • Office associate professionals 5,392,425
  • Cleaners and helpers 4,306,566
  • Office professionals 4,288,435
  • Legal & social professionals 3,654,022
  • Personal service workers 3,247,306

In the period 2016-2030, employment for business services in EU is projected to change by 15.35%. 

Occupations employed in the sector in business services sector in EU in 2016

Employment share (%) in business services sector across Member States in 2016

Employment in business services sector in EU in 2016 by level of education

Employment in business services sector in EU in 2016 by age

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