The EU Blue economy report 2025

Welcome to the eighth edition of the EU Blue Economy Report!

Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation

The Blue Economy is a strong and growing set of dynamic and competitive industries, contributing around € 250 billion to the EU economy and employing nearly 5 million people. It offers a wealth of opportunities for innovation, economic diversification, job creation, competitiveness, climate neutrality and sustainability.

Ekaterina Zaharieva,

European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation

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Costas Kadis, EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans

This Report is published at a time when the EU faces significant challenges. Heightened geopolitical tensions, rapid technological developments and the increasingly visible effects of climate change – among other factors – require us to rethink how Europe can remain prosperous, competitive and secure in the future. Addressing these issues will be a central task for this Commission during the 2024-2029 period.

Costas Kadis,

EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans

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The Blue Economy, delivering growth and jobs for the EU

The Blue Economy, delivering growth and jobs for the EU

The EU Blue Economy generated an estimated € 263 billion in gross value added in 2023, representing 1.7% of the total EU gross value added. It generated an estimated total of 4.9 million jobs in that same year, constituting 2.4% of total EU employment. Between 2012 and 2022, the blue economy's real gross value added (GVA) grew by an estimated 37%. The growth of Blue Economy GVA constituted 2% of total EU GVA growth during this period.

Banner - the Blue Economy sectors

Take a closer look at the Blue Economy sectors

Did you know that the coastal tourism sector generated most value added and the highest number of jobs within the Blue Economy? That the maritime transport sector handled 368 million passengers embarking and disembarking in EU ports in 2023? Or that the offshore renewable energy sector experienced a twelve-fold increase in employment since 2012?

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Explore the environmental aspects of the Blue Economy

Europe's seas are experiencing drastic changes due to climate change. The EU is fostering the transition to a sustainable blue economy as part of the European Green Deal. It aims to stimulate innovation, improve economic resilience and achieve environmental sustainability in blue economy sectors like maritime transport and fisheries. Nature-based solutions should be considered to protect the EU’s coastal areas against flooding.