What is the Biggest Industry in Europe?

The European industry dominates the food industry as the largest importer and second largest exporter in the world. Europe led the development of the Industrial Revolution and continues to be a leader in global industry. European industry comprises several industrial sectors which contribute to high value-added economic activities and generate massive employment.
European industry faces the challenge of tackling the shortage of skilled workers in order to maintain its share of world trade.
Below you will find the TOP 10 largest industries and sectors from the datantify database:

1. Corporate Offices

This industry includes corporate offices of companies of various types, including business centers, real estate agencies’s office in cities, offices of social organizations, offices of private economic activities of various specificities. The current number of corporate offices in the Datantify database: 570,406

2. Restaurants

The industry includes places that provide food services to customers, both served on the spot at the table and served from the display or to take away. Due to the risk of covid-19 infection, a lot of stationary, traditional restaurants have also extended their services to the form of orders with delivery to customers’ homes.
The current number of restaurants in the Datantify database: 512,491

3. Holiday Apartments

Private apartments or a chain of owners’ apartments who manage their rentals for tourist stays. This industry also includes holiday homes, companies providing installation and arrangement services for holiday apartments and rooms.
The current number of holiday apartments in the Datantify database: 286,898

4. Real Estate Agencies

Real estate agencies in Europe provide brokerage services when a property is sold, rented or bought. They generate income on the basis of a contract or remuneration. Many of them also deal with advisory and valuation in connection with renting, selling or buying real estate. This industry also includes real estate agents.
The current number of real estate agencies in the Datantify database: 277,582

5. Clothing Stores

Most industry participants sell goods from one or more retail locations and often run an online store for their products. Clothing stores source clothing from wholesalers or manufacturers and sell them to consumers at their own prices. The clothing retail trade in Europe mainly sells men’s, women’s and children’s clothing.
The current number of clothing stores in the Datantify database: 276,158

6. Hairdressing Salons

The hairdressing sector in the European economy includes up to 500,000 establishments. The industry is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises and micro-enterprises, with the average business being made up of five hairdressers (often one operator owner and four employees). In recent years, the share of micro companies (from companies run by owner-owned operators to those employing up to 2 employees) and franchise showrooms has increased.
The current number of hairdressing salons in the Datantify database: 276,123

7. Bars

The bar industry includes places serving drinks, dishes, cocktails for direct consumption. The operators of the bar and pub industry in Europe prepare all kinds of lunch dishes and specials, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The industry’s performance is largely supported by the increase in the number of tourists visiting Europe. On the other hand, the covid-19 pandemic resulted in the temporary or complete closure of some premises.
The current number of bars in the Datantify database: 261,126

8. Hotels

This industry includes hotels that provide accommodation. These places often have various amenities on offer; restaurants, recreation areas, conference rooms and some offer parking and laundry services. Usually hotel guests come daily, weekly, mostly for short stays. Industrial development was supported by growing domestic and international tourism in Europe for most of the five-year period. However, the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has resulted in a sharp reduction in domestic and international tourism travel.
The current number of hotels in the Datantify database: 260,865

9. Beauty Salons

This industry is defined as consumer services for body care and improvement of its appearance. The premises are run by private and franchise owners. They deal with cosmetics and make-up, as well as various aesthetic treatments and SPA.
The current number of beauty salons in the Datantify database: 251,661

10. Schools

This industry includes schools, kindergartens, colleges, educational establishments, school complexes, and educational assemblies. There are many different education systems across the continent, each with its own approach to education depending on the country. The current number of schools in the Datantify database: 243,519
Conclusion

The health situation is improving and the resulting further mitigation of restrictive measures to limit the spread of the virus are setting the economies of the EU countries in motion. The short-term outlook for the European economy looks better than expected in spring.
Thanks to an effective strategy of public restraints and advances in immunization of citizens, the economies of countries in Europe were able to resume work. This is an advantage, in particular, for companies in the consumer services sector, which often requires stationary contact with the customer. There is also evidence of a recovery in tourism activity that should also benefit from the new EU digital COVID certification.
Total number of companies located in Europe from the Datantify database: 31,951,457 The full database of Industries and their companies in Europe can be found here.