In 12 EU Member States, “Wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services” was the biggest economic activity in terms of gross value added generated in 2016. The highest shares were recorded in Lithuania (32.2% of total GVA), Latvia (25.4%), Cyprus (25.2%), Portugal and Poland (both 25.1%, although it was not the largest economic activity in Poland), Spain (23.6%), Greece and Austria (both 23.2%), the report reads.
“Public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities” was the main economic activity in terms of GVA in France (22.7%), Belgium (22.3%) and the Netherlands (21.4%), as well as in the three EU Nordic Member States – Denmark (22.3%), Sweden (21.5%) and Finland (21.3%). Luxembourg stood out, with “Financial and insurance activities” representing the main economic activity, generating 27.3% of total gross value added.