In 2022, most of the services exports from the EU to non-EU countries (56%) were carried out by large enterprises with 250 or more employees. Small enterprises (up to 49 employees) accounted for 14% of exports and medium-sized enterprises (50 to 249 employees) for 10%, while the size of the exporting enterprise for the remaining 20% of exports is unknown.

In most EU countries, large enterprises accounted for the majority of services exported outside the EU, with the largest contributions recorded in Finland (74%), Germany (72%) and Slovakia (70%).

Small enterprises led exports in Malta (86%), Estonia (59%) and Luxembourg (49%), while medium-sized enterprises accounted for the majority of exports in Bulgaria (28%).

Exports of services to countries outside the EU by enterprise size, %. Chart. See link to the full dataset below.

Source dataset: ext_stec01

This information comes from data on services trade by enterprise characteristics (STEC). This article presents a handful of findings from a more detailed Statistics Explained article on services trade by enterprise characteristics - STEC.

Foreign-controlled enterprises lead EU services exports 

Foreign-controlled enterprises (including those controlled by institutional units from other EU countries) play a dominant role in driving services exports from the EU countries.

The share in exports by foreign-controlled enterprises was the highest in Luxembourg (85%), Ireland (80%) and the Netherlands (64%).

Enterprises under domestic control led services exports in Denmark (79%), Finland (70%) and France (63%).

Exports of services to countries outside the EU by enterprise ownership status, %. Chart. See link to the full dataset below.

Source dataset: ext_stec03

For more information

Methodological note

Statistics on trade in services by enterprise characteristics (STEC) provide insights into the link between the volume of trade in services and the characteristics of the enterprises involved.

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