EU Blue Economy Report 2025: Strong growth and focus on innovation

The European Commission has recently launched the EU Blue Economy Report 2025. This report provides a detailed picture of the performance of the blue economy in Europe and shows how the sector contributes to economic growth, innovation and sustainability.
News
16 June 2025
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The EU Blue Economy Report 2025 was published at the end of May and is an important source of information for policymakers, companies and researchers. The document helps support the transition to a more sustainable and resilient maritime economy.

The blue economy includes all economic activities linked to seas, oceans and coastal areas. This ranges from fishing and aquaculture to shipbuilding, port operations, maritime transport and offshore renewable energy.

The 2025 edition broadens the scope to include blue biotechnology, desalination and ocean energy, among others, and highlights the potential of nature-based solutions in the fight against climate change.

๐Ÿ“ˆ The blue economy in figures

  • Total turnover of the European blue economy: โ‚ฌ890.6 billion in 2022
  • Gross value added (GVA): โ‚ฌ250.7 billion in 2022, rising to โ‚ฌ263 billion in 2023
  • Direct employment: 4.82 million people in 2022, growing slightly to 4.88 million in 2023
  • Offshore wind: 42% growth in GVA compared to 2021, accounting for โ‚ฌ4.1 billion profit in 2022
  • Net investment: โ‚ฌ8.8 billion (excluding tourism and transport)
EU Blue Economy Report 2025 banner

๐Ÿ” Broader perspective

For the first time, the report also includes estimates based on preliminary figures for 2023, making it more responsive to current trends. Moreover, the analysis has been expanded to include data on seafood consumption outside households and sales through regular shops, strengthening the understanding of the entire value chain.

The report also supports the European Commission's broader policy framework for a sustainable blue economy. This focuses on investments in clean technologies, green port infrastructure, marine robotics and international cooperation.

For Belgium, the report confirms the strategic value of the North Sea as an engine for energy, innovation and sustainable growth. Projects such as the Princess Elisabeth Island, floating solar panels and marine research help put Flanders on the map within the European blue innovation policy.

Blue Economy (BlueInvest)
The Blue Economy ยฉ Blue Invest / European Union

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