Regional yearbook foreword

The Eurostat regional yearbook provides you with an overview of economic, social, demographic and environmental developments in the EU regions. It includes data for regions in 27 EU countries, 4 EFTA countries, as well as 9 candidate countries. An extensive set of indicators is presented in the form of maps, figures and infographics: these have been designed to highlight regional variations and similarities.

The Eurostat regional yearbook gives you the opportunity to journey across our continent looking at a broad range of topics described in numbers. At its core, the publication distils numbers into comprehensible explanations and narratives. In doing so, it underscores evidence-based decision-making, empowering stakeholders – from local municipalities to international entities – to formulate informed strategies that foster inclusive growth, mitigate disparities and enhance the quality of life in the EU.

In this year’s edition of the Eurostat regional yearbook, the indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are featured with a logo attached to those maps, figures or infographics that address the SDGs. As such, readers can assess regional as well as national and supranational developments for this important data collection.

Additionally, several chapters in this year’s edition of the Eurostat regional yearbook highlight the European Year of Skills, which continued into 2024.

The Eurostat regional yearbook is available online in Statistics Explained and in PDF format on Eurostat’s website. The latest data can be downloaded from Eurostat’s database, where more detailed and up-to-date statistics can be found.

I hope that you enjoy exploring the regions of the EU!

Mariana Kotzeva
Director-General, Eurostat