Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 2 on ending hunger and malnutrition; which is embedded in the European Commission’s 2024-2029 Priorities under 'Sustaining our quality of life: Food security, water and nature'.
SDG 2 - among other things - aims to ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. Improving agricultural productivity and the incomes of food producers are key factors in achieving this goal.
One of the five general objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is to ensure a fair standard of living for farmers. The CAP is financed by two funds: the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF), which finances direct payments to farmers as well as market measures, and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) under which rural development programmes are financed. EU subsidies and direct payments have become an important share of the agriculture factor income.
4.1. Data description
Agricultural real factor income measures the income generated by farming, which is used to remunerate borrowed or rented factors of production (capital, wages and land rents) as well as own production factors (own labour, capital and land).
Annual work units (AWUs) are defined as full-time equivalent employment (corresponding to the number of full-time equivalent jobs), which is calculated by dividing total hours worked by the average annual number of hours worked in full-time jobs within the economic territory.
This can be interpreted as a measure of labour productivity in agriculture. The data stem from the Economic Accounts for Agriculture (EAA), which provide detailed information on agricultural sector income.
4.2. Unit of measure
Chain linked volumes, index 2015=100 and Chain linked volumes (2015), euro per annual work unit (AWU)
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 (EAA)
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: Economic accounts for agriculture (EAA) using agricultural statistics plus administrative information. The EAA are satellite accounts of the European System of Accounts, providing complementary information and concepts adapted to the particular nature of the agricultural industry. Although their structure very closely matches that of the national accounts, their compilation requires the formulation of appropriate rules and methods.
Data provider: Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat)
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year
5.1.2. 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 year
5.2.2. 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 MS
6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS
6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States respectively other presented countries.
To be noted that caution should be exercised when comparing absolute levels of agricultural factor income per annual work unit (AWU) because they are influenced by different national rules related to the full-time working hours comprising an AWU.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years
6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series (including EU aggregates) starts in 2005.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points
6.4.2. 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 an EU context).
Agricultural real factor income measures the income generated by farming, which is used to remunerate borrowed or rented factors of production (capital, wages and land rents) as well as own production factors (own labour, capital and land).
Annual work units (AWUs) are defined as full-time equivalent employment (corresponding to the number of full-time equivalent jobs), which is calculated by dividing total hours worked by the average annual number of hours worked in full-time jobs within the economic territory.
This can be interpreted as a measure of labour productivity in agriculture. The data stem from the Economic Accounts for Agriculture (EAA), which provide detailed information on agricultural sector income.
28 March 2025
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Calendar year.
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).
Chain linked volumes, index 2015=100 and Chain linked volumes (2015), euro per annual work unit (AWU)
