Manufacture of aerospace equipment in the European Union

Manufacture of aerospace equipment is one of the prominent high-tech sectors of the EU, employing over 360,000 persons and generating a value added of EUR 29 billion. The industry is highly concentrated, both geographically in few EU Member States as in terms of few larger enterprises. Productivity in this industry is high and in spite of high average personnel costs it is quite profitable. A considerable share of value added is spent on R&D, which also reflects in an increasing number of patent applications. The EU realises a trade surplus for aerospace products with quite globally diversified exports.