ASD’s Facts & Figures 2024: over 1 million jobs in aerospace & defence

This week ASD unveiled its Facts & Figures 2024 report, offering a detailed analysis of the European aerospace, security, and defence industries' performance in 2023. The report highlights pivotal trends, key challenges, and the critical economic impact of these sectors.

At the press conference, held in Brussels, ASD President Guillaume Faury; Vice-Chairman of the ASD Board Micael Johansson; and ASD Secretary General Jan Pie, underscored the strategic importance of the industry while advocating for supportive policies to drive future resilience, innovation and competitiveness.

Key highlights from the report

• Employment Growth: Total employment in the sector rose by 8%, reaching 1,027,000 jobs in 2023. Overall, the industry supported more than 3.9 million jobs across Europe.
• Turnover Increase: Industry turnover grew by 10.1% to €290.4 billion, driven by a 17% growth in defence and 3% growth in civil aeronautics.
• Economic Impact: The report underlines the industry's critical role in fostering innovation, sustaining jobs, and ensuring Europe's strategic autonomy.

The Facts & Figures 2024 report not only illustrates the industry's economic contributions but also serves as a call to action for policymakers to implement measures that enhance Europe’s industrial competitiveness. With an unpredictable geopolitical landscape and the need for sustainability-driven innovation, the sector’s future depends on collective efforts.

Guillaume Faury, ASD President and CEO of Airbus, highlighted the urgent need for robust industrial policies:
"2025 is the year for decisive action to secure Europe’s future. An industrial policy that fully supports aerospace, space, and defence will empower Europe to lead globally in innovation, security, and sustainability."

Micael Johansson, Vice-Chairman of the ASD Board and CEO of Saab, emphasised resilience in the defence sector:
"We are encouraged by efforts to strengthen the European defence industry. Europe must intensify its actions to secure a resilient and competitive industry, ensuring we meet the increasing demand in an unpredictable world."

Jan Pie, ASD Secretary General, reflected on the industry’s adaptability:
"2023 underscored our industry's resilience and adaptability. Bold policies are essential to enhance competitiveness and deliver the innovative capabilities that safeguard Europe’s future."