Provision and export of computer services in Europe

This publication describes the structure and development of this activity, with a specific focus on type of service provided, type of client and exports. In the EU-25, there were around 450,000 enterprises with the provision of computer services as their main activity, employing 2.5 million persons and generating 300 billion euro in turnover. Sweden and the UK were the most specialised Member States in this activity. Turnover in the EU-25 increased by over 60% between 1998 and 2004, three times more than in traditional manufacturing industry. Software and other computer consultancy services generally generated most turnover and over 80% came from enterprise clients. Exports accounted for 20% of total turnover on average, which makes computer services the third most exported business service after market research and public opinion polling (33%) and technical testing and analysis (23%).