In Romania, industry was the largest economic activity in 2018, accounting for 26.1% of gross value added.
In eight EU member states, industry came first and it accounted for at least a quarter of gross value added generated in Ireland (36.5%), Czech Republic (30.2%), Slovenia (26.9%), Romania (26.1%), Slovakia (25.7%), Germany (25.4%), Poland (25%, although it was not the largest economic activity in Poland) and Hungary (24.8%).
Other major activities in the EU in 2018 were “wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services” (19% in EU; 20.2% in Romania) and “public administration, defense, education, human health and social work activities” (18.6% in EU;14.5% in Romania ). “Professional, scientific and technical activities” (11.5% in EU; 8% in Romania) and “real estate activities” (11.2% in EU; 8.3 in Romania) also accounted for a significant share of EU total gross value added.
Construction accounted for 5.5% in EU and 6% in Romania, agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 1.6% in EU and 4.8% in Romania, information and communication accounted for 5.2% in EU and 5.8% in Romania, financial and insurance activities accounted for 4.9% in EU and 3% in Romania, while arts, entertainment and recreation accounted for 3.4% in EU and similarly in Romania.
Wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services was the largest economic activity in 13 EU member states. The highest gross value added from this activity was recorded in Lithuania (31.9%), Poland (26%), Cyprus (25.6%), Greece (25.1%), Latvia and Portugal (both 24.8%).
Public administration, defense, education, human health and social work activities was the top gross value added generator in five EU member states: France (22.4%), Denmark (21.6%), Belgium (21.4%), Sweden (21.3%) and Netherlands (20.8%).