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EU Firms Generate 186 Billion Euros In India, Support 6 Million Jobs: Report
A landmark EU delegation report shows EU firms generated 186 billion euros in turnover in India in 2024, about 5% of India's GDP, and supported around 6 million jobs. The study also notes 218 billion euros in cumulative EU investments from 2014-2024, 23.5 billion euros in exports in 2024, and a broadening sectoral base, with deeper diplomatic ties culminating in the January 2026 EU-India summit and a new free trade agreement.
Why It Matters
The findings position the EU as India's leading foreign investor and a major trading partner, highlighting how European business presence is shaping India’s economy and future collaboration in technology, manufacturing, and services.
Timeline
13 Events
Post-summit economic framework: FTA and sector dialogues
May 7, 2026
The article notes a recently concluded free trade agreement and a dense web of over 50 bilateral sectoral dialogues as part of the ongoing EU-India economic partnership.
Report release date and scope
May 6, 2026
The landmark report The Economic Footprint of EU Businesses in India was released by the EU delegation in India, presenting the latest data and implications.
Diplomatic language on broader partnership and Blue Valleys
January 2026
EU Ambassador Herve Delphin described the relationship as broader than commerce, with ongoing negotiations on investment protection and geographical indications and plans to establish 'Blue Valleys'—joint investment and co-development zones.
Trade and investment context (early 2026)
January 2026
Bilateral trade was approaching 200 billion euros with an investment stock of about 140 billion euros, reinforcing the EU as India's top trading partner.
EU-India strategic engagement: January 2026 Summit
January 2026
The 16th EU-India Summit adopted the Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, signaling a deepened partnership across trade, technology and sustainable development.
Geography of EU firms in India
2024
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Haryana host about 85 percent of EU firms; Karnataka leads ICT/services; Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are developing as manufacturing hubs; Delhi is the hub for professional/administrative functions; Gujarat and Telangana are highlighted as fastest-growing destinations for fresh EU investment.
Sectoral composition of EU business activity
2024
Manufacturing accounts for 40 percent of EU business activity in India; professional services 16.6 percent; ICT 12 percent; administrative support 9.4 percent; and trade 6.2 percent.
EU exports from India in 2024
2024
EU firms generated 23.5 billion euros in exports from India in 2024, accounting for around 6 percent of India's total export earnings.
Cumulative EU investment 2014-2024
2024
Over the full 2014-2024 period, EU companies invested 218 billion euros in India, making Europe India's leading foreign investor.
2024: public revenues and CSR
2024
In 2024, EU firms contributed approximately 7 billion euros in taxes to Indian public revenues and spent 271 million euros on corporate social responsibility initiatives.
2024: employment impact
2024
EU firms supported close to 6 million jobs in India in 2024, including 3.7 million direct roles and about 2 million across supply chains and related services.
2024: EU firms' turnover and GDP share
2024
In 2024, close to 6,000 EU firms generated 186 billion euros in turnover, roughly 5 percent of India's GDP.
Scope of the report: 2014-2024 tracking
2014
The report tracks growth from 2014 to 2024 as its 10-year period, establishing the framework for the analysis.