Remarkable Growth In Employment
Exports of pharmaceutical products from the European Union to non-EU markets supported 926,000 jobs in 2023, marking a record level. This corresponds to 4.3 per mille of total employment across the EU and reflects the sector’s role in the broader economic structure.
Direct And Indirect Economic Impact
Within this total, the core pharmaceutical sector accounted for 325,000 jobs. An additional 601,000 positions were supported across related industries, indicating the extent of indirect employment linked to export activity and supply chains.
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A Steady Climb Since 2010
Since 2010, the number of jobs tied to pharmaceutical exports has consistently increased from 504,000 to the current record. During this period, employment related to these exports nearly doubled, with the workforce share growing from 2.6 to 4.3 per mille.
Role Of Key Trade Partners
Trade with the United States emerged as the most significant factor, supporting 275,000 EU jobs in 2023. Switzerland and China followed closely, sustaining 104,000 and 103,000 jobs respectively. The United Kingdom and Japan also remained significant partners, supporting 51,000 and 42,000 jobs.
Long-Term Trends By Market
Since 2010, employment growth has been concentrated among several major trading partners. The United States accounted for an increase of 147,000 jobs, followed by China with 91,000 and Switzerland with an additional 38,000 jobs over the same period.
Conclusion
The data illustrate how pharmaceutical exports contribute to employment across both core and related sectors. They also show how trade with key global markets continues to shape job creation within the European Union.
