1.1. Contact organisation
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
1.4. Contact person function
1.5. Contact mail address
e-mail contact: ESTAT-SDG-MONITORING@ec.europa.eu
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
1.8. Contact fax number
2.1. Metadata last certified
27 March 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
30 April 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
28 March 2025
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under ‘A new plan for Europe's sustainable prosperity and competitiveness’ and ‘Supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model’. SDG 8 recognises the importance of sustained economic growth and high levels of economic productivity for the creation of well-paid quality jobs and the achievement of global prosperity. That said, it envisions inclusive and sustainable economic growth, which leaves no one behind and does not harm the environment.
4.1. Data description
This indicator measures the share of GDP that is used for investment activities in the government, business and household sectors. It is defined as gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) expressed as a percentage of GDP.
Gross fixed capital formation consists of resident producers’ investments, deducting disposals, in fixed assets during a given period. It also includes certain additions to the value of non-produced assets realized by producers or institutional units. Fixed assets are tangible or intangible assets produced as outputs from production processes that are used repeatedly, or continuously, for more than one year.
4.2. Unit of measure
% of GDP
i. Total investment
ii. Business investment
iii. Government investment
iv. Households investments
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year.
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link to related metadata).
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS (National accounts)
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: National accounts
Data provider: Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, based on data reported by the countries.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
The indicator is updated annually. Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via Eurostat release calendar.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within one year after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Albania, Serbia and Türkiye.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States respectively other presented countries.
Comparability is ensured by the application of common definitions and the methodological framework established by the European System of Accounts, ESA 2010, which is based on the internationally agreed System of National Accounts, SNA 2008.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series (including EU aggregates) starts in 2000.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is longer than 4 data points.
Application of a common framework (European System of Accounts 2010) ensures data comparability over time. Wherever series are not comparable, data breaks are appropriately flagged in the Eurostat database.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards the SDGs in an EU context).
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
See table sdg_08_11
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs: Eurostat overview.
Copyrights: Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
