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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 for educational level possessed in EU by level of education

Employment in high-tech occupations in business services sector across Member States in 2016

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