Globalisation creates job opportunities but can also result in job losses. Managing globalisation to make the most of it is a priority for the EU as is trying to create a more social Europe that helps redundant workers find new jobs.

Job opportunities in Europe

The number of jobs supported directly or indirectly by EU exports outside the union is continuously growing. It increased from 21.7 million jobs in 2000 to 36 million jobs in 2017. Every billion in exports from the EU supports on average about 13,000 EU jobs.

Job opportunities aren't limited to exporting companies. They also extend to firms supplying goods and services to them.

For example, in Germany exports to non-EU countries support 6.8 million jobs. Thanks to the EU's single market an additional 1.1 million German jobs depend on exports from other EU countries to non-EU countries. In total, 18% of jobs in Germany rely on EU exports.

The share of highly skilled workers in export related jobs is increasing and export-related jobs are on average 12% better paid than other jobs.