DS Experimental statistics >European space economy SA > block 1 > EN > REVAMP

Why are these statistics needed?

The European space economy is experiencing a revival and attracting interest due to its growing role in modern societies. For example, space technologies enable the monitoring of natural disasters, the improvement of security and defence protection measures, and the development of high-level digital and communication systems.

In addition, the number of countries and enterprises involved in space activities is rising. Yet, high-quality macroeconomic statistics on the importance of the space sector for the European economy are missing so far.

Why are they experimental?

These statistics are experimental because the work to translate the definition and scope of the space economy into codes of European statistical classifications is under validation. This concerns the classification of economic activities (NACE), the classification of products by activity (CPA), and the harmonised system nomenclature (HS).

In particular, some of the statistical codes identified as relevant relate only partially to the space sector. Thus, the coefficient of their relevance for the space sector must be determined with precision.

In addition, the statistical codes identified as relevant for space and their associated coefficients may vary between the EU countries.

To accurately estimate the coefficients of space relevance for each statistical code, detailed data are needed. However, the level of granularity of the available data may differ between EU countries.

Finally, the methodology, which has been validated for other topics, such as tourism, or other geographical areas, like for the United States, must still be assessed for the European space economy.

To summarise, the reliability of the estimates currently depends on:

  • the correct identification of all the space-related economic activities and products (services and goods)
  • the accurate estimation of the share of the space economy for each space-related economic activity and product
  • the level of detail in which data are available for each country
  • the amount of complementary information provided by stakeholders of the space community
  • the validation of the methodology for the European space economy.

How are they produced?

These statistics are constructed using the supply and use framework of the System of National Accounts (SNA) 2008, which describes the domestic production process and the imports and exports of products with the rest of the world.

Beside the construction of national space economy supply and use tables (SUTs), these statistics also require building inter-country space economy SUTs. Both sets of SUTs are aligned with the Eurostat’s inter-country supply, use and input-output tables (IC SUIOTs), also called FIGARO tables (Full international and global accounts for research in input-output Analysis). Since 2021, the FIGARO tables are produced annually by Eurostat as official EU statistics.

For further details, please consult:

Access to the statistics

More results are planned to be published by the end of 2024. Eurostat will then systematically update and expand the thematic account as new data become available.

Note to users: The first data release in December 2023 presents data on exports and imports related to spacecraft, including satellites, and spacecraft launch vehicles, corresponding to the CPA code 30.30.40 and to the HS code 880260. The results cover the time series 2010 to 2021.

DS Experimental statistics >European space economy SA > block 2 > EN > REVAMP

Feedback

To help Eurostat improve these experimental statistics, users and researchers are kindly invited to give us their feedback by email:

  • Suggestions for improving the thematic account and data presentation: We welcome any comment on how to enhance the thematic account and improve the way data are presented.
  • Updates of the 'Methodological note': Please let us know if you identify methodological issues or background information that are missing or require clarification.
  • Additional indicators for the space economy: We are interested to know which additional indicators, in your opinion, are relevant for measuring the economic importance of the space economy.
  • Contributing data and information: If you have access to detailed data and information about the space economy in your country, we would greatly appreciate your input.