EFPIA report: economic impact of industry clinical trials across Europe

Key Takeaways

• Industry clinical trials created €10.1 billion in direct GVA and €21.7 billion in total GVA across the EEA in 2025, accounting for indirect and induced economic effects.
• The sector supported more than 165,000 jobs across Europe, including over 45,000 clinical research positions and over 120,000 indirect and induced employment roles.
• Clinical trials are linked to prevention of 26.9 million sick days, valued at €10.4 billion of GVA through workforce productivity improvements.
• R&D spillovers from clinical research contribute an estimated €3.6 billion of additional GVA to the European economy.
• Three growth scenarios model potential gains of €4.0 billion to €17.9 billion in additional GVA if trial volumes increase by 11.1%, 25%, or 50% respectively.

What Does This Analysis Cover?

The EFPIA-commissioned report assesses the economic and societal value of industry clinical trials across the European Economic Area. It estimates current benefits through four impact categories: direct, indirect, and induced GVA; employment creation; R&D spillovers; and workforce productivity gains. The analysis then models three forward-looking scenarios based on increasing trial volumes aligned with European Medicines Agency targets, historical 2013 levels, and growth rates observed in China and North America.

Why Europe's Clinical Trial Position Matters

Europe's share of global industry clinical trials declined from 22% in 2013 to 12% in 2023, despite the absolute number of trials worldwide increasing by 38% over the same period. The report emphasizes that trial location matters: research-active hospitals achieve better patient outcomes, clinicians involved in research demonstrate faster adoption of newly licensed treatments, and research engagement fosters innovation across healthcare systems. Maintaining and expanding clinical trial capacity supports both immediate economic activity and longer-term health system benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which European countries generate the most GVA from clinical trials?

Germany leads within the EEA with €3.0 billion in direct GVA and €6.3 billion in total GVA. Among countries analyzed, the United Kingdom (non-EEA) generated €3.1 billion in direct GVA, and Switzerland (non-EEA) contributed €2.8 billion. France, Belgium, Italy, Poland, and Spain also show substantial trial-related GVA contributions.

How were the GVA figures calculated?

The analysis used an income approach to measure GVA, beginning with EFPIA estimates of pharmaceutical R&D expenditure. Labour cost shares derived from Eurostat BERD data and a 2% profit share assumption were applied. Clinical trials were estimated to account for approximately 55% of all pharmaceutical R&D expenditure, based on PhRMA member survey data. Type I and Type II multipliers were then applied to estimate indirect and induced GVA effects.

What do the growth scenarios assume?

Three scenarios model increases in trial volume: Scenario 1 assumes an 11.1% increase aligned with EMA targets; Scenario 2 assumes a 25% increase to return to 2013 trial levels; Scenario 3 assumes a 50% increase to help Europe match growth observed in China and North America. These scenarios are modeled to show potential incremental GVA, job creation, R&D spillover benefits, and workforce productivity gains.

What are the key limitations of this analysis?

The report excludes Liechtenstein, Lithuania, and Luxembourg due to unavailable pharmaceutical production and R&D expenditure data. Estimates for Estonia and Latvia were imputed using country-level production data and European average R&D ratios. The analysis relies on assumptions about labour cost shares, profit shares, and the proportion of R&D expenditure attributable to clinical trials, which carry inherent uncertainty.

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