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
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
5, rue Alphonse Weicker. L-2721 Luxembourg
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
26 March 2023
2.2. Metadata last posted
19 March 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
19 March 2025
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 11 on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable and towards SDG 15 on protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of land. SDG 11 is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under 'A new era for European Defence and Security', 'Supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model', 'Sustaining our quality of life: food security, water and nature' and 'Protecting our democracy, upholding our values'. SDG 15 is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under 'Sustaining our quality of life: food security, water and nature'
SDG 11 aims to renew and plan cities and other human settlements so that they offer opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation, green public spaces and others, while improving resource use and reducing environmental impacts.
SDG 15 seeks to protect, restore and promote the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial, inland-water and mountain ecosystems. This includes efforts to sustainably manage forests and halt deforestation, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, halt biodiversity loss and protect threatened species.
The Soil Strategy for 2030 has set a goal of no net land take by 2050.
4.1. Data description
The indicator estimates the increase in sealed soil surfaces with impervious materials due to urban development and construction (e.g. buildings, constructions and laying of completely or partially impermeable artificial material, such as asphalt, metal, glass, plastic or concrete). This provides an indication of the rate of soil sealing, when areas change land use towards artificial and urban land use. The indicator builds on data from the imperviousness High Resolution Layer (a product of the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service). The indicator is presented in the following units: Index 2006=100 % of total surface total sealed surface in km2
4.2. Unit of measure
Index 2006 = 100
% of total area
km2 sealed surface
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The amount of soil sealing was modelled on a 1km grid for all reference years, by making use of visually interpreted reference measurements and a non-linear regression function. The accuracy of all layers in the time series reached over 90%.
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
European Environment Agency (EEA)
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: Copernicus land monitoring services
Data provider: European Environment Agency (EEA)
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every 3+ years5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
Data are disseminated every 3 years.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
> T+2 years5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are normally disseminated within three years after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
All EU Member States plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, Turkey and
Kosovo(*).
(*) This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
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 and the other presented countries.
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 2006.
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.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in the EU context).
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
see table sdg_11_32
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs: Eurostat overview.
Copyrights: Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
