Associations
Technical Resources
Besides connecting and supporting textile professionals, AATCC has extensive technical resources, including a fully equipped laboratory and staff with textile expertise. The lab now includes a new spectrophotometer donated by Datacolor.
Datacolor Global Key Account Team Manager Ken Butts visited the AATCC Technical Center to oversee the setup and software installation. The new instrument replaces a DC650 that was previously donated by Datacolor. It will complement a suite of instruments at the Technical Center for evaluation of visible color and ultraviolet radiation.
AATCC Technical Director Erika Simmons said, “Datacolor instrumentation has always been an integral tool for AATCC color assessment and textile UV standards development, and we are delighted to continue this tradition thanks to Datacolor’s generous donation.” The AATCC laboratory is used for teaching and demonstration as well as research related to AATCC test methods and procedures. AATCC committees and corporate members also have access to the equipment for small-scale testing. The new spectrophotometer will be an important component of AATCC’s Textile Testing Workshop and Color Management Workshop, where attendees get expert training and hands-on experience with lab equipment.
The donation coincides with AATCC’s 100th anniversary and a renewed focus on collaboration. AATCC President-elect John Crocker said, “AATCC appreciates the partnership with Datacolor and we look forward to the future.”
Business Style, Strategy & Aspirations of Textile Engineering Industry
Greetings & good wishes from India ITME Society!
It is my pleasure to share with you that India ITME Society has taken another innovative approach as a catalyst for the textile and textile engineering industry.
India ITME Society a 42-year-old non-profit Industry body has become a trend setter for out of box ideas in serving the industry members and not just limited to India.
Business Style, Strategy & Aspirations is an endeavour by India ITME Society exclusively for its exhibitors to boost visibility, connectivity & promotion of Textile Engineering Machines, Products, Innovations & Companies.
We invite you to view the Video Interview of Mr. Joseph Thomson, Managing Director – CEO, Trützschler India Private Limited., India ITME 2022 Exhibiting Company at https://youtu.be/CXafmwNa_1I
E-Library: https://www.india-itme.com/elibrary/individual-presentation/?id=908
AATCC Research Committee Reorganisation
The AATCC RA63, Water Resistance, Absorbency and Wetting Agent Evaluation Test Methods committee has been one of the most active research committees, responsible for 16 test methods…and counting. To manage existing and new projects more efficiently, the group recently split into two committees with distinct scopes.
Water Resistance
As of November 2021, RA63 is titled Water Resistance Test Methods. The committee scope is “to develop test methods for evaluation of water-resistance and repellency of textiles.” Kiarash Arangdad, ITG Burlington, is the acting chair for 2022.
The Water Resistance committee is currently preparing to ballot a new test method for Measuring Condensation on Textiles in a Humid Microclimate. The method measures the water condensation accumulation on the innermost (back) surface of fabrics in a humid microclimate, with and without simulated precipitation on the outermost (face) fabric surface.
Moisture Management
The new RA114 Moisture Management Test Methods committee scope is “to develop test methods for evaluation of wetting agents and moisture management of textiles.” Guy Smithurst, James Heal, chairs the committee from 2022 through 2024.
The Moisture Management committee is actively revising the AATCC TM197 Vertical Wicking of Textiles with the intention of creating separate methods for specified wicking times and specified wicking distances. Revisions will also streamline and clarify some of the options in the current method.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh plans to properly implement textile chemical guidelines
Experts have advised the Bangladesh government to ensure proper implementation of the national chemical guideline for the domestic textile and apparel industry in order to increase exports. They were taking part in a discussion hosted by Bangladesh’s commerce ministry on the draft national chemical management guidelines for the textile and apparel industry.
According to Asif Ashraf, a director of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporter Association (BGMEA), the recommendation should be executed effectively. He said that buyers have varied needs for ensuring safety, and local garment manufacturers would need to establish capability in chemical management.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is assisting the Bangladesh commerce ministry in developing the guideline on behalf of the German government.
The goal of the guideline is to better protect workers and the environment and to prevent or reduce chemical-related diseases and injuries.
The guideline would apply to any job activity in textiles and readymade garment production that uses chemicals, according to the draft.
Banking
UBS appeals verdict of French Court
Today, UBS AG has filed an appeal with the French Supreme Court regarding the decision of the Court of Appeal, including a fine of EUR 3.75m, the confiscation of EUR 1bn, and civil damages of EUR 800m. The notice of appeal was filed within the statutory five-day notice period to preserve UBS AG’s rights. This enables UBS AG to thoroughly assess the verdict of the Court of Appeal and to determine next steps in the best interest of its stakeholders.
New Cooperative
Mycelium innovator Ecovative partners with PVH, Bestseller
Ecovative, a mycelium technology business, announced the formation of an international sustainable fashion cooperative with founding members BESTSELLER and PVH Corp. These businesses will have first access to Ecovative’s mycelium innovations via its Forager™ Hides platform and will work directly with the Ecovative team to co-develop unique mycelium materials for a variety of end products and consumer uses as part of the cooperative. Fashion for Good, a worldwide innovation platform, was instrumental in bringing these partners together to accelerate the development of petroleum-free vegan leather.
Ecovative’s dedication to sustainable fashion is shared by BESTSELLER and PVH Corp. To produce mycelium solutions for their products, their designers will collaborate with Ecovative’s team of engineers and mycologists. Members of the Fashion for Good Cooperative will use their knowledge of the fashion business to collaborate with Ecovative on a research and development plan that includes design, construction, and testing. The cooperative will work together to develop mycelium materials for the consumer market.
Rebecca England, VP Innovation, PVH Europe, said that at PVH, they’re thrilled to investigate technologies that lessen the environmental effect of their products. Mycelium allows them to respond to increased consumer desire in lower-impact products while also supporting quality and design that exceed their customers’ needs and expectations – in this case, produced entirely of bio-based materials. They’re excited to test and learn alongside their partners to develop scalable, long-term solutions.
Anders Schorling Overgård, BESTSELLER’s Sustainable Materials Engineer, said that Mycelium has a lot of potential in the world of fashion innovation, and it even goes beyond their own business. They’re excited to get started on product development and learn more about the aesthetics and performance of Ecovative’s new materials in the lab. Through this pilot, they will obtain a better understanding of mycelium as a leather substitute that is both biodegradable and totally bio-based.
Ecovative has been generating mycelium materials for partners in North America, Europe, and Asia for over a decade. In March 2021, the company introduced Forager™ Hides, an alternative leather substance. Forager™ Hides are made using Ecovative’s second-generation mycelium material, which has been developed over the course of more than five years in Ecovative’s Mycelium Foundry. The 100% bio-based mycelium material is grown in sheets up to 24 meters long and 1.8 meters wide and may be customized for tensile strength, density, and fiber orientation to meet the needs of partners. The complete growth process takes only 9 days and results in a finished product that is devoid of plastic scrims and petroleum-based coatings.
Gavin McIntyre, Ecovative Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer, said that by combining innovation and tradition, they can focus on what they do better than anybody else in the world: producing the best mycelium at a commercial scale. They develop beautiful, high-performing, and sustainable materials without harming animals or the environment by working directly with fashion manufacturers and tanneries.
Ecovative scientists can fine-tune their product to fit a wide range of end product needs, from soft and supple leather accessories and clothes to sturdy and thick belts and shoes.
Katrin Ley, Managing Director of Fashion for Good, said that biomaterials have been under development for years, but only a small percentage of buyers have seen them. Ecovative has been concentrating on scaling its technologies in order to provide mycelium at the volume required by industry leaders such as BESTSELLER and PVH Corp. This is a significant step forward in the effort to scale up these solutions and make them more accessible.
Childrenswear
Childrenswear brand Frugi hits 1 million pound milestone for charity
UK-based leading ethical and sustainable children’s clothing company, Frugi, has raised GBP 1 million for its Little Clothes Big Change charity project, which began in 2016 and requires the company to donate 1% of its annual turnover whether it makes a profit or not.
Frugi has sold more than 100 million pounds worth of GOTS certified organic clothes since its establishment in 2004 and has raised one million pounds for charity. Currently, 85% of Frugi’s goods are composed of GOTS certified cotton, with the other 15% manufactured from recycled polyethylene (PET) plastic bottles spun into yarn to create a robust, waterproof fabric for outerwear, accessories, and swimwear.
Lucy Jewson, founder of Frugi, said that they’re proud of many things they’ve achieved at Frugi – but they’re perhaps the most proud of this! A million pounds earned for charity by a small company in Cornwall, all before their 18th birthday, is a huge sum.
Jewson added that Frugi was created to prove that a brand could be a strong catalyst for change and that business was about much more than just the ‘bottom line.’ Being a part of the 1 percent for the Planet movement and then launching Little Clothes Big Change has allowed them to continue donating to grassroots charities while building the Frugi brand.”
Frugi’s ethos has always been about giving back, notably to environmental and children’s charities, as part of its larger objective to protect the globe. The children’s apparel company has supported a variety of causes across its three pillars of hunger, shelter, and nature, and is now sponsoring Eco-Schools and LEAF, both of which inspire children to connect with nature and improve their environment at school and in their communities.
Frugi has been funding the Eco-Schools Green Flag certification fees for 150 schools across England since 2020, as well as educating 500 teachers to become Eco-Coordinators with Eco-Schools.
Sarah Clark, CEO of Frugi, said that this is a really proud time for their Frugi family. They wouldn’t change a thing about donating 1% of their revenue to charity because it’s in their brand’s DNA. Giving back, whether they earn a profit or not, is a powerful commitment. Their 1% donations are utilized to make a difference for our world and its inhabitants, as well as to help protect the globe we live on. This has always been at the heart of Frugi, and it will continue to guide their decisions and the causes they support.
TotsBots reusable nappies and Bloom and Nora reusable sanitary products are also owned by the Frugi company, and these two brands have been included in the 1 percent turnover pledge since 2021.
Kurt and Lucy Jewson launched Frugi in 2004 after struggling to find sustainable clothing that would fit over reusable nappies. It has grown into one of the UK’s top ethical and organic children’s apparel businesses, with over 550 shops in 30 countries selling its products online at welovefrugi.com. Frugi Bloom has a new-born to ten-year-old collection, as well as a twinning, pregnancy, and breastfeeding selection.
Companies
Bed Bath & Back From Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond’s turnaround effort has been marked by trials and errors, including how the retailer delivered returns to shareholders.
By guest author Jinjoo Lee from the Wall Street Journal
Bed Bath & Beyond’s BBBY shares rode the meme-stock surge to the moon a year ago. Today its shares have come back closer to Earth—an altitude where it is easier for not only short sellers but its management to breathe.
The retailer on Thursday had mostly bad news to deliver. It reported that same-store sales in the quarter ended Nov. 27 fell 7% compared with a year earlier—much more than the 0.9% decline analysts had been expecting. Some of that had to do with problems beyond its control. Without supply-chain snags, the company said, it would have sold $100 million more. But some are of management’s own making: The company last year got rid of too many printed circulars, which it later realized were an important traffic driver. Even after deciding to correct the issue, paper-supply problems last quarter meant the retailer couldn’t print those out as quickly as it wanted to.
Despite the disappointing numbers, the company’s shares gained 8% after the earnings call. Wild swings are the norm following Bed Bath & Beyond’s earnings results: Although short interest has come down from the 71% it once reached in 2020, it still accounts for 24% of the stock’s float. Even with that gain, Bed Bath & Beyond’s share price is now roughly a quarter of last year’s peak and the company is trading more like a struggling retailer again. Its enterprise value is roughly 0.4 times forward revenue, around its five-year average.
But there is a silver lining to leaving meme-stock orbit. The company has said it aims to conclude its accelerated share-buyback program by the end of next month, two years ahead of schedule. The $1 billion program, announced months before the Reddit-fueled rally, became risky and expensive for the company at times. It paid an average price of $46.83 a share on its buybacks in April, which was more than double what it had paid at an earlier stage. Because short interest is still high, anything from new excitement on social media or better-than-expected earnings results still has the potential to send the stock soaring. Getting the buybacks out of the way should allow management to focus more on concrete matters such as its continuing store-pruning and remodeling plans, and fine-tuning its marketing.
Chief Executive Mark Tritton, a former Target executive, inherited a house that was falling apart. Remodeling it has come with some missteps, including the way the company has chosen to return cash to shareholders. Barring another Reddit-fueled squeeze, at least it will now have one less management headache.
Prada uses Chinese New Year campaigns to raise awareness about tiger conservation
Italian luxury fashion house, Prada, has revealed a combined campaign and initiative to mark the Lunar New Year, which is the year of the tiger according to the lunar calendar.
The brand’s ‘Action in the Year of the Tiger’ project will comprise a series of activations to raise awareness for the endangered big cat species, which is one of many at risk of extinction.
Actor and musician Li Yifeng and actress Chun Xia star in the complementary campaign, which was shot in collaboration with photographer Liu Song. Instead of using fiction, the images focus on gestures and interactions with the spectator, with the ultimate purpose of constructing a narrative that will hopefully create the necessary awareness to save the animal.
Prada has contacted art schools in China and around the world as part of the campaign, encouraging students to create their own creative interpretations of the tiger. The unrestricted freedom allows individuals to express themselves while simultaneously attempting to raise public awareness for the subject. A special jury of artists will judge the work, and a selection will be used for a project scheduled for 2022.
In addition, the Prada Group has stated that it will donate to the China Green Foundation’s Walking with Tigers and Leopards program. The initiative disseminates biodiversity information to the general population with the goal of increasing public awareness of tiger and leopard conservation through education.
BASF resolves on share buyback programme with a volume of up to EUR 3 billion
- Own shares to be repurchased from January 2022 until year end 2023
- Repurchased shares to be cancelled, reducing the share capital accordingly
In light of the positive business development and the divestitures in the course of 2021, the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE has today resolved on a share buyback program. The program amounts to up to EUR 3 billion, shall start in January 2022 and be concluded by December 31, 2023, at the latest, subject to a renewed authorization to repurchase own shares by the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of BASF SE on April 29, 2022. BASF SE will cancel all repurchased shares and reduce the share capital accordingly.
The share buyback program is based on the authorization by the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of BASF SE on May 12, 2017 authorising the Board of Executive Directors to purchase up to 10 % of the issued shares at the time of the resolution (10 % of the company’s share capital) until May 11, 2022. BASF plans to propose to the 2022 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting a renewed authorization to buy back own shares. The purchase shall be executed on the electronic trading platform of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Xetra) and be conducted making use of the safe-harbour exemption for buyback programmes of Article 5 EU Market Abuse Regulation (MAR).
BASF remains committed to its progressive dividend policy. Share buybacks are another tool that BASF will use additionally to create value for its shareholders. Through the share buyback available capital will be returned to shareholders, the company’s capital structure optimized and earnings per share increased. BASF will continue to prioritize organic growth in its use of capital, while acquisitions are currently of lower relevance for the company.
Based on the strength of its balance sheet and the company’s ability to consistently deliver high free cash flows, BASF continues to strive to maintain a solid A rating. BASF currently has a rating of A/A-1/outlook stable from Standard & Poor’s and A3/P-2/outlook stable from Moody’s. Fitch currently assigns a rating for BASF of A/F1/outlook stable.
From 1999 to 2008, BASF repurchased shares for around EUR 9.9 billion and reduced the number of outstanding shares by in total around 29 %.
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of EUR 59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.
Nestlé applies new science-based nutritional concept for porridge products
Carbohydrates are an essential part of a healthy diet and it is recommended that carbohydrates provide between 45 – 65% of our daily calories. Slow digestible carbohydrates and non-digestible fibers which have shown to have a beneficial effect on gut health and blood sugar control, are often lacking in diets, that rely mostly on easily digestible sugars and starches.
Nestlé scientists, in collaboration with internationally recognized experts from leading institutions, such as Tufts University in Boston, U.S., Nutrition Research Australia and the National University of Singapore, have developed and validated a unique nutritional concept for carbohydrate quality.
The concept, called GRAINSMART balance, consists of a defined ratio between carbohydrates, fibers and sugars that aims to limit the amount of free sugars and increase the amount of fibers, which in consequence helps to shift to healthier products and balanced diets. This ratio is 10: 1: 2 and indicates that for every 10g of total carbohydrates there should be minimum 1g of fiber, and no more than 2g of free sugars when developing certain products such as cereals. Products which meet the 10:1:2 ratio, can include the GRAINSMART balance logo on pack. Nestlé has now launched the first products based on GRAINSMART balance, consisting of a porridge product range with Nutri-Score ‘A’ rating in Europe.
The GRAINSMART balance nutritional concept aims at providing better guidance to consumers on how to improve carbohydrate quality for a balanced diet. Additionally, it will help to inform future product development.
“This new nutritional concept aims at facilitating a choice of higher quality carbohydrate products, helping consumers to increase their consumption of fiber-rich grain such as whole-grains, while at the same time reducing their intake of added sugars,” says Kim-Anne Lê Bur, nutrition expert from Nestlé Research. “With GRAINSMART balance, both goals are met, while still ensuring a tasty product.”
“We are very proud to pioneer this unique nutritional concept that supports products with higher nutritional quality,” says Mayank Trivedi, Head of Nestlé Strategic Business Unit Dairy. “We want to make sure consumers can trust products bearing the GRAINSMART balance logo as healthy options for themselves and their family because of their composition, which has been co-developed and validated by internationally recognized nutrition experts.”
Nesvita and Nestum Super multiportion healthy porridges and the Nesquik All Natural Porridge for children with the new GRAINSMART balance recipe have been launched in several European countries, and additional markets will be reached in 2022. The GRAINSMART balance concept is being applied to the product development for Nestlé’s cereal portfolio.
References:
- A comparison of different practical indices for assessing carbohydrate quality among carbohydrate-rich processed products in the U.S.
- An assessment of three carbohydrate metrics of nutritional quality for packaged Foods and beverages in Australia and Southeast Asia
- Balanced carbohydrate ratios are associated with improved diet quality in Australia: A nationally representative cross-sectional study
- Toward an evidence-based definition and classification of carbohydrate food quality: An expert panel report
Mango publishes its Tier 2 supplier list
Spanish fashion brand, Mango, has published a list of its Tier 2 factories as well as an updated version of its Tier 1 factory list that it published last year, demonstrating its dedication to transparency.
In 2020, the brand issued the first list of its Tier 1 suppliers, becoming the first big company in the Spanish fashion industry to do so.
It has now updated this list and added Tier 2 factories, which are involved in manufacturing processes, for the first time. By 2022, the brand intends to make public its Tier 3 raw materials supplier list.
The current list provides information on the declared factories in which Mango will produce in 2021, in accordance with the Transparency Pledge Standard, a collaboration of nine employment and human rights organizations dedicated to transparency in the textile and footwear industry’s supply chains.
The list’s release is part of a 2018 Bilateral Agreement between Mango and the CCOO Industry trade union, which aims to improve the rights of people who work in the company’s factories and encourage accountability in global supply chains in the fashion industry.
Following an independent investigation conducted by Alison Levitt QC, the Boohoo Group made headlines this year when it disclosed a list of 1100 manufacturers in order to meet its transparency pledge to share the information within twelve months.
Data
Amounts sent to non-EU countries by EU residents in 2020
In 2020, extra-EU personal transfers were directed equally to Asia (excluding the Near and Middle East), North Africa and non-EU European countries with 20% each of total extra-EU outflows (EUR 6 845 million, EUR 6 797 million and EUR 6 526 million, respectively). South America received 14% of extra-EU personal transfers (EUR 4 813 million), followed by Central and South Africa with 12 % (EUR 4 062 million).
Extra-EU outflows have maintained a growing trend since 2015, increasing by 33% since that year. The majority of personal transfers consist of flows of money sent by migrants to their country of origin.
Extra-EU inflows, on the other hand, have remained at a constant level, resulting in a negative balance of EUR 22 100 million for the EU with the rest of the world. Non-EU European countries are responsible for 54 % of total extra-EU inflows (EUR 6 273 million). The second main provider of personal transfers to the EU is North America with 19% of total extra-EU inflows (EUR 2 188 million).
For more information:
- Eurostat Statistics Explained article on personal remittances statistics
- Eurostat database on the balance of payments
- Eurostat dedicated section on the balance of payments
Forecast: US consumer tech revenues to reach USD 505 billion
The US consumer technology industry is projected to generate over USD 505 billion (EUR 467 billion) in retail sales revenue for the first time ever according to a new forecast from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). The projection represents a 2.8 % revenue increase from 2021’s impressive 9.6 % growth over 2020. Strong demand for smartphones, automotive tech, health devices and streaming services will help propel much of the projected revenue.
CTA’s twice-yearly U.S. Consumer Technology One-Year Industry Forecast reflects US manufacturer shipments for more than 100 consumer tech products and related software and services. The report identifies major trends shaping the future of consumer technology. It was designed and formulated by CTA, the most comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research and trends for the consumer technology industry.
“The consumer technology industry has shown impressive resilience in the face of supply chain challenges that are affecting almost every sector of the economy,” states Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “The pandemic gave people more time to explore new tech that made their lives healthier, safer and more convenient. We anticipate another year of growth for our industry based on the enormous demand we see from consumers for tech products and services.”
Smartphones Reign Supreme with 5G and Foldables:
Smartphone shipments are projected to reach 154.1 million units (USD 74.7 billion in shipment revenues) in 2022, marking 3 per cent growth from 2021 (149.6 million). The upward trend is driven by the increasing availability of 5G, as 5G handsets will make up 73 per cent of smartphone shipments (USD 61.37 billion in revenues) in the coming year. The introduction of foldable phones represents a new option for consumers that will help drive demand.
Automotive Tech on the Rebound:
Automotive technology sales are expected to rebound in 2022 as we begin to see early signs of recovery in chip supplies. Factory-installed automotive tech is projected to reach USD 16 billion in shipment revenues this year, an impressive 7 per cent increase from 2021 (USD 14.9 billion). Demand for automotive tech is increasing as auto manufacturers produce more and continue to develop advanced driver assistance systems that make vehicles more efficient and safer.
Streaming and Cloud-Based Services Grow Entertainment Opportunities:
US households continue to purchase more content through online delivery platforms. Total spending on streaming services and software is expected to reach USD 130 billion in 2022, up 6 per cent over 2021.
- Video: An ever-expanding universe of video streaming services, each with their own exclusive TV shows and movies, is drawing a growing audience. Spending on video streaming services is expected to reach USD 47 billion in 2022, up 7 per cent over 2021.
- Audio: Streaming services that offer music, audio books and podcasts will see consumers spend USD 12.9 billion in 2022, up 15 per cent over last year.
- Gaming: Consumer spending on gaming software, including downloads, game streaming services and in-game purchases, will rise 5 per cent to USD 53.6 billion this year.
Gaming on the Rise:
With consumers spending more time at home and major advancements in gaming systems in recent years, the video game industry is poised to have yet another year of revenue growth. Shipment revenues for home gaming consoles rose dramatically from nearly USD 4.4 billion in 2020 to nearly USD 6.1 billion in 2021, an impressive 40 per cent growth year-over-year driven largely by demand for next-generation consoles and more time spent at home amid the pandemic. CTA projects relatively modest gains in 2022, with home gaming consoles reaching nearly USD 6.5 billion, a 6 per cent increase from 2021. Growing interest in the metaverse will contribute to a spike in demand for virtual reality eyewear, with shipment revenues rising from USD 774 million to nearly USD 1.3 billion, a 66 per cent increase.
Personal Mobility Accelerates:
Personal EVs such as electric bikes and scooters are also on the rise as consumers seek alternatives to driving their car or taking public transportation for short trips and last-mile transportation. Electric bike shipments are expected to reach almost 3 million units and USD 6 billion in revenues in 2022.
Wireless Earbuds and Smartwatches Increase in Popularity:
Wireless headphones and smartwatches both top the list of wearable technologies keeping consumers connected, productive and entertained. Smartwatches are projected to generate USD 7.1 billion in shipment revenues this year, an 8 per cent increase over 2021. True wireless earbuds are expected to rise 3 per cent from 2021 to 2022, reaching a projected USD 9.3 billion in shipment revenues this year.
Health and Fitness Technology Demand Grows:
Connected exercise equipment grew significantly through the pandemic, generating nearly USD 3.8 billion in shipment revenues in 2021. In 2022, CTA projects connected exercise equipment will experience 17 per cent growth and reach nearly USD 4.5 billion in shipment revenue. This growth trajectory suggests that health-conscious consumers are finding practicality and convenience in exercising at home, even as gyms and workout classes reopen.
“The record-breaking revenue generated by the technology industry reflects the reality that every sector of our economy is leveraging technology to enhance their products and services,” states Rick Kowalski, director, industry analysis and business intelligence, CTA. “Just look around the show floor at CES 2022, you see agriculture, health care, entertainment and beyond. It is a snapshot of how all-encompassing the technology industry has become.”
Swiss retail trade turnover rose in November 2021
Turnover adjusted for sales days and holidays rose in the retail sector by 5.4 % in nominal terms in November 2021 compared with the previous year. Seasonally adjusted, nominal turnover rose by 1.4 % compared with the previous month. These are provisional findings from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Real turnover adjusted for sales days and holidays rose in the retail sector by 5.8 % in November 2021 compared with the previous year. Real growth takes inflation into consideration. Compared with the previous month, real, seasonally adjusted retail trade turnover registered an increase of 1.3 %.
Retail sector excluding service stations
Adjusted for sales days and holidays, the retail sector excluding service stations showed a 3.9 % increase in nominal turnover in November 2021 compared with November 2020 (in real terms +4.6%). Retail sales of food, drinks and tobacco registered a decline in nominal turnover of 1.2 % (in real terms –0.1 %), whereas the non-food sector registered a nominal plus of 8.8 % (in real terms +9.0 %).
Excluding service stations, the retail sector showed a seasonally adjusted increase in nominal turnover of 1.4 % compared with the previous month (in real terms +1.3 %). Retail sales of food, drinks and tobacco registered a plus of 1.5 % (in real terms +1.5 %). The non-food sector showed a plus of 1.8 % (in real terms +2.3 %).
Value added of economic activities in the EU Member States
In 2020, ‘public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities’ became the most significant economic activities in the EU. These activities accounted for 19.8 % of EU total gross value added (GVA), overtaking ‘industry (except construction)’ (19.5 %) and ‘wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food service activities’ (17.9 %).
At the other end of the scale, the least significant economic activities in the EU were ‘agriculture, forestry and fishing’ (1.8 %), followed by ‘arts, entertainment and recreation; other service activities; activities of household and extra-territorial organisations and bodies’ (3.0 %).
When comparing the shares of GVA in 2020 with 2019, ‘wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food service activities’ took the biggest hit in the share of EU total GVA (from 19.3% in 2019 to 17.9% in 2020; -1.4 percentage points), followed by ‘industry (except construction)’ (from 19.9% to 19.5%; -0.4 pp) and ‘arts, entertainment and recreation; other service activities; activities of household and extra-territorial organisations and bodies’ (from 3.3 % to 3.0 %; -0.3 pp).
By contrast, the percentage of GVA generated by ‘public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities’ increased from 18.7 % in 2019 to 19.8 % in 2020 (+1.1 pp). These were followed by ‘real estate activities’ (from 10.8 % to 11.3%; +0.5 pp) and ‘information and communication’ (from 5.1 % to 5.5 %; +0.4 pp).
In real terms, the total GVA generated by the economic activities in the EU in 2020 was 5.9% lower than in 2019.
For more information:
• Eurostat Statistics Explained article on national accounts and GDP
• Eurostat dedicated section on national accounts
• Eurostat database on national accounts
Welcome to the European Year of Youth!
On the occasion of 2022 being the European Year of Youth, Eurostat looks at the proportion of young people at regional level in the EU. On 1 January 2020, across the EU, one out of 6 people was aged between 15 and 29 years old, representing 73.6 million people of the total EU population (447.3 million). 37.8 million people (51 % of young people in the EU) were young men and 35.8 million (49 %) were young women.
Among the EU Member States, the Île-de-France region had the highest number of young people between 15 and 29 years old in 2020 (2.4 million). Following that were the regions of Lombardy (1.5 million), Andalusia (1.4 million), Catalonia and Rhône-Alpes (both 1.2 million), and Madrid and Campania (both 1 million).
However, relative to population size, the highest shares of 15 to 29 year-olds in the EU were found in French Guiana and Mayotte (both in France) as well as Groningen (in the Netherlands), where 23 % of the population were young people. These were closely followed by Cyprus (single region at this level of detail), the Capital region of Denmark and the Spanish autonomous region of Melilla (each 21 %).
By contrast, the lowest shares of young people in the EU were found in Chemnitz and Brandenburg in Germany (both 11 %), Thuringia, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony-Anhalt (all in Germany), and Asturias in Spain (all 12 %).
The highest shares of young men were found in the North Aegean region in Greece (24 % of the population), French Guiana and Groningen (both 23 %).
For more information:
- In this article, the regional data are presented at NUTS 2 level (2016). The names of the regions are in English.
- Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia: single regions at this level of detail.
- EU dashboard showing youth indicators
- Eurostat overview on population and demography
- Eurostat database on population and demography
How much fruit and vegetables do you eat daily?
In 2019, 1 in 3 people (33%) in the EU reported not consuming any fruit or vegetables daily and only 12% of the population consumed the recommended 5 portions or more daily. On average, over half of the EU population (55%) said they ate between 1 and 4 portions of fruit and vegetables daily.
Among the EU Member States, the highest daily intake of 5 portions or more was reported in Ireland (33% of the population), the Netherlands (30%), Denmark (23%) and France (20%).
The lowest daily intake was found in Romania, where only 2% of the population ate at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, followed by Bulgaria and Slovenia (both 5%) and Austria (6%).
Women’s daily intake of fruit and vegetables is higher than that of men: on average, 58% of women reported eating 1 to 4 portions compared to 51 % for men. The same was true for a daily intake of 5 portions or more (15 % vs 10 %).
For more information:
- Eurostat dedicated section on health statistics
- Eurostat database on health statistics
- The data presented in this article comes from the third wave of the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS). You can read more about the EHIS in the methodological Statistics Explained article.
The survey also showed that more men than women reported skipping their fruit and vegetable intake altogether (39 % vs 27 %).
Sparkling wine extra-EU exports see 6 % dip in 2020
In 2020, the EU’s sparkling wine exports to countries outside the EU amounted to 494 million litres, a decrease with respect to the 528 millions litres exported in 2019. This was the first decrease in sparkling wine extra-EU exports in a decade (-6 % when compared with 2019), where the pandemic significantly dampened wine trade growth as many bars and restaurants were shuttered.
In the previous years, exports had been increasing at an average rate of 8 % every year, with the largest increase recorded in 2014 (+11 % when compared with 2013).
In 2020, the three largest categories of sparkling wine exported by EU Member States to countries outside the EU were prosecco (41 %, 205 million litres), champagne (13 %, 66 million litres) and cava (12 %, 58 million litres).
Meanwhile, Member States imported 9.3 million litres of sparkling wine from non-EU countries, which corresponded to only 2 % of the amount that was exported.
For more information:
- Overview of statistics on international trade in goods
- Database of statistics on international trade in goods
Switzerland with Average annual inflation of +0.6% in 2021
The consumer price index (CPI) fell by 0.1 % in December 2021 compared with the previous month, reaching 101.5 points (December 2020 = 100). Inflation was +1.5 % compared with the same month of the previous year. The average annual inflation reached +0.6 % in 2021. These are the results of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Average annual inflation for 2021 corresponds to the rate of change between the annual average of the CPI for 2021 and that for 2020. The annual average is equal to the arithmetic mean of the 12 monthly indices of the calendar year. Average annual inflation was +0.6% in 2021. This increase is due in particular to higher prices for petroleum products and for housing rentals. In contrast, prices for international package holidays and medicines decreased. Prices for domestic products increased by 0.3% on average, those for imported products increased by 1.5%. Average annual inflation was –0.7 % in 2020 and +0.4 % in 2019.
The CPI decrease of 0.1% in December 2021 compared with the previous month is due to several factors including falling prices for heating oil. The prices for air transport also declined, along with the prices for fuel. In contrast, prices for hire of private means of transport, for hotel accommodation and for second-hand cars increased.
Protected marine areas in 2020: +2 % compared with 2019
The EU has the largest coordinated network of protected areas in the world, known as Natura 2000 and consisting of almost 27 000 terrestrial and marine sites.
In 2020, nearly 451 000 km2 of the EU’s marine waters were protected as marine Natura 2000 areas. This represents a 2% increase compared with 2019 and a 58 % increase compared with 2015.
Identification of valuable areas to be protected is much more challenging in seas than on land. That is one of the reasons why the designation of marine Natura 2000 sites is less advanced compared with the terrestrial Natura 2000 sites, and important yearly increases in the size of protected marine areas are observed in some EU Member States, as the designation advances.
Between 2019 and 2020, the largest increases in marine Natura 2000 areas were recorded in Italy (80 %, or 9 676 km2) and Belgium (4 %, 46 km2). The rest of the Member States recorded virtually no changes.
In absolute terms, the largest national network of marine Natura 2000 areas is located in coastal waters around France (132 688 km2). Together with the second largest national network – in Spain (84 405 km2) – these account for almost half (48 %) of the EU’s marine Natura 2000 areas.
For more information:
- Slovenia: <0.1 thousand km2 are protected marine areas. Czechia, Luxembourg, Hungary, Austria, Slovakia: not applicable as they do not have marine waters.
- Eurostat Statistics Explained article on biodiversity statistics
- Eurostat website section on biodiversity statistics
- Eurostat database on environmental statistics
- Natura 2000 Network Viewer to find the Natura 2000 area closest to where you live
- The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 203
First-time asylum applicants up by 21 % in September 2021
In September 2021, there were 60 800 first-time asylum seekers applying for international protection in the EU Member States, a 58% increase compared with September 2020 (38 600 first-time applicants) and +21% compared with August 2021 (50 200). September was the first month during the COVID-19 pandemic where the number of applications exceeded the last pre-pandemic level of February 2020 (55 700) and also the level observed in September 2019 (54 500). This information comes from monthly asylum data recently published by Eurostat.
Furthermore, in September 2021, there were also 8 600 subsequent applicants (people who reapplied for asylum after a decision had been taken on a previous application). This was up by 31% when compared with August 2021 and down by 23% compared with January 2021 (the first month for which these new data were collected).
Most first-time asylum applicants from Afghanistan
In September 2021, Afghans were the largest group of persons seeking asylum (13 800 first-time applicants). They were followed by Syrians (8 700), Iraqis and Bangladeshis (both 2 700), Turks (2 500) and Pakistanis (2 400).
The number of applications for international protection lodged by Afghans increased by 63% compared to August 2021 and accounted for almost one-quarter of all first-time asylum applications in the EU in September 2021.
Most first-time applicants request asylum in Germany and France
With 13 800 first-time applicants registered in September 2021, Germany accounted for nearly one quarter (23%) of all first-time applicants in the EU. This was closely followed by France (12 800, or 21%), ahead of Italy (6 300, or 10%) and Spain (6 200, or 10%). These four Member States together accounted for almost two-thirds of all first-time applicants in the EU.
Lithuania, Poland and Italy recorded the largest relative increases in first-time asylum seekers in September 2021 compared with September 2020 (1 011%, 772% and 493% respectively).
2 800 unaccompanied minors applying for asylum in the EU
In September 2021, 2 800 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum, remaining at the level of the previous month. However, the number more than doubled from January 2021 (1 300). Austria (660), Belgium (390) and the Netherlands (300) were the three Member States with the highest numbers of unaccompanied minors applying for asylum in September 2021.
For more information:
- Since 2021, based on the amendment of Regulation (EC) 862/2007 from June 2020, new data on asylum (e.g. on subsequent applications, accelerated procedures, unaccompanied minors asylum applicants, decisions issued to unaccompanied minors) are collected by Eurostat.
- Due to temporary derogations, data on subsequent applicants are not available for Denmark, Cyprus, Poland and Sweden, as well as data on unaccompanied minor asylum applicants – for France and Cyprus. As a result, the respective totals were calculated based on available data for the EU Member States.
- Latest Eurostat Statistics Explained article on quarterly asylum data
- Eurostat Statistics Explained article with annual asylum data
- Eurostat dedicated section on asylum
- Eurostat database on asylum
How many people verified online information in 2021?
In 2021, 47% of all people aged 16-74 years in the EU saw untrue or doubtful information on news websites or social media during the 3 months prior to the survey. However, only around a quarter (23%) of people verified the truthfulness of the information or content.
This information comes from data on ICT usage in households and by individuals published by Eurostat today. Other interesting findings can be found in the more detailed Statistics Explained article.
The share of people aged 16-74 years old who verified information found on online news sites or social media in the previous 3 months was largest in the Netherlands (45%), followed by Luxembourg (41%) and Ireland (39 %). However, the smallest share was recorded in Lithuania (11 %), followed by Romania (12 %) and Poland (16 %).
In the EU, people aged 16-74 years old primarily checked if the information was truthful by checking the sources or finding other information on the internet (20 %). People also checked information by discussing it with other persons offline, or using sources not on the internet (12 %). The least popular method was checking by following or taking part in an internet discussion regarding the information (7 %).
For more information:
- Eurostat Statistics Explained article on ICT usage in households and by individuals
- Eurostat dedicated section on digital economy and society
- Eurostat database on digital economy and society
Tourism nights booked online drop by almost 50 % in 2020
2020, guests spent around 272 million nights in short-term rental accommodation in the EU booked via Airbnb, Booking, Expedia Group or Tripadvisor, representing a decrease of around 47 % compared with 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic.
These data on short-stay accommodation offered via these platforms are the result of a landmark agreement between the European Commission and the four private collaborative economy platforms reached in March 2020.
This news item presents a handful of findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article.
While guest nights slightly increased in January and February 2020, compared to 2019, the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdowns in March 2020 brought touristic travel close to zero in April and May (-93.2 % in April and -85.6 % in May, compared to April and May 2019). After many countries eased travelling restrictions in the summer, the number of nights spent recovered, whilst still being much lower than in 2019 (-38.3 % in July and -25.8 % in August). However, the arrival of the second wave of the pandemic in autumn/winter 2020 led to another severe impact on booking numbers towards the end of the year (-71.8 % in November).
Shifting to domestic destinations
The short-term accommodation market was hit unevenly across Europe, with countries such as Spain (-58.1 %) and Italy (-60.2 %) affected more severely than France (-25.0 %) or Germany (-20.6 %). Eight countries (Czechia, Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Hungary, Malta, Slovenia and Iceland) registered falls of more than 60 %.
Regional data shows that traditional summer destinations around the Mediterranean Sea, as well as big cities, were hit much harder than the European average. Major urban tourism destinations such as Rome (-78.0%), Barcelona (-75.6 %) or Prague (-73.5 %), lost around three-quarters of guest nights in 2020.
The breakdown of guest nights by the origin of the guests shows that domestic tourism only fell moderately (-6.7 %), while international tourism shrunk by more than two thirds. Countries such as Spain, Italy or Croatia, which in past years had very high shares of international guests (67.7%, 74.1 % and 95.4 % respectively), were affected much more severely than for example France or Germany, where the shares of international guests were much lower (42.7 % and 36.9 %). In these countries, some regions actually experienced an increase in the number of guest nights.
For more information:
- Eurostat will publish the first data for 2021 in the first quarter of 2022.
- Eurostat What’s new article on first data on short-stay accommodation booked via online collaborative economy platforms
- Eurostat Statistics Explained article on short-stay accommodation offered via online collaborative economy platforms
- Eurostat Statistics Explained article on short-stay accommodation offered via online collaborative economy platforms – impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Eurostat ‘Experimental statistics’ section dedicated to short-stay accommodation offered via online collaborative economy platfor
Agricultural labour productivity of the EU up by 1% in 2021
According to the latest data from the economic accounts for agriculture, the index of agricultural labour productivity in the EU is estimated to have increased slightly in 2021 (+1%), after a decrease in 2020.
The overall rise in agricultural labour productivity in 2021 largely reflected developments in production values, higher prices for inputs and a stable volume of agricultural labour.
This information comes from data on agriculture recently published by Eurostat.
Rise in EU labour productivity driven by France’s rebound
The sharpest rates of increase in agricultural labour productivity in 2021 were recorded in Bulgaria (+32.9%), Ireland (+16.4 %) and France (+16.3 %). The value of factor income in France was the highest among all the Member States and represented 18.4% of the EU total. The other four countries of the “big five” that accounted for a further one half (49.5 %) of EU factor income all reported falls in agricultural labour productivity in 2021: Spain (-6.0 %), Germany (-5.3 %), Poland ( 4.5 %), and Italy (-1.7 % ).
The labour productivity of the agricultural industry can be measured as factor income expressed per full-time labour equivalent. This is a measure of the net value added generated from agricultural goods and services by the equivalent of each full-time worker in the agricultural industry, presented in real terms (adjusted for inflation) and expressed as an index.
Agricultural labour productivity in 2021 one third above 2010
Compared with 2010, the level of the index of EU real factor income was 8% higher in 2021. During the same period, there was a steady and overall decline in the index of agricultural labour input of 18%. Together, these changes resulted in EU agricultural labour productivity (Indicator A) being about one third (32%) higher in 2021 than in 2010.
Agricultural labour productivity should not be confused with the total income of farming households or the income of a person working in agriculture.
For more information:
- Eurostat dedicated section of agriculture statistics
- Eurostat database of agriculture statistics
European Statistical Recovery Dashboard: December edition
On December 17. 2021, Eurostat released the December edition of the interactive European Statistical Recovery Dashboard.
The dashboard contains monthly and quarterly indicators from a number of statistical areas relevant for tracking the economic and social recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, across countries and time.
The dashboard is accessible here and is updated every month with the latest available data for each indicator.
The line charts in the dashboard offer many functionalities to easily explore and analyse the development of the indicators, such as displaying a longer time series, comparing several countries, downloading the customised chart or the source dataset.
For more information, you can visit our website section dedicated to COVID-19, bringing together in one place a wide range of statistics published by Eurostat.
www.ec.europa.eu/eurostat/
Out now: Housing in Europe – 2021 interactive edition
Eurostat has just released the updated interactive publication Housing in Europe – 2021 interactive edition. This publication shows figures on many different aspects of housing across Europe.
In the first two chapters “How we live” and “Housing costs”, you can find data on the evolution of house prices or rents in recent years, greenhouse gas emissions related to heating, housing conditions and affordability of housing. The third chapter is dedicated to the evolution of the construction sector and also shows the most built-up areas in Europe.
All data are presented through interactive visualisations like the one below.
Size, type and quality of housing can vary greatly from country to country, just like house prices and rents, so take some time and visit this publication to know more about housing in the EU and in your country.
This edition has the big plus of including an automatic translation option giving access to 23 European languages.
8 % of the children in the EU are non-national
On January 1, 2020, around 6.5 million persons aged less than 18 years were non-national, meaning they did not have the citizenship of the EU Member States they lived in, representing 8 % of the total number of children in the EU.
In absolute terms, the EU Member States hosting the highest number of non-national children were Germany (1.7 million, or 26 % of non-national children in the EU), France (1.1 million, or 17 %), Italy (1.0 million, or 16 %) and Spain (0.9 million, or 14 %). Almost 3 out of 4 children without the citizenship of their EU country of residence were residing in one of those four Member States in 2020.
In relative terms, the EU Member State hosting the highest share of non-national children was Luxembourg (48 % of the total child population in Luxembourg), followed by Austria (19 %), Malta (15 %), Greece (13 %), Germany and Cyprus (both 12 %).
At the other end of the scale, the Member States recording the lowest shares were mainly located in the eastern part of the EU as illustrated by the shares observed in Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania and Bulgaria which are all less than 1 %.
This news item is being published on the occasion of International Migrants Day, which is celebrated on 18th December to raise awareness about the challenges and difficulties of international migration.
For more information:
- The term ‘non-national children’ in this text cover all persons below 18 years old and includes the following categories: EU citizens (excluding the reporting country), non-EU citizens, stateless and unknown.
- Eurostat Statistics Explained article on children in migration – population and international migration statistics
- Eurostat website section on children in migration statistics
- Eurostat database on children in migration statistics
- Eurostat website section on migration and asylum statistics
Which EU countries had the highest GDP in 2020?
In 2020, the gross domestic product (GDP) of the EU stood at around EUR 13 400 billion at current prices. In real terms, the EU’s GDP in 2020 was 7.6% higher than its level a decade ago. However, real GDP was 5.9% lower than its level in 2019; it was the first drop in EU GDP since 2009, when GDP declined by 4.3% compared with 2008.
The decrease in economic activity and consequently in GDP is consistent with the restrictions implemented in 2020 to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
In 2020, slightly more than a quarter of the EU’s GDP was generated by Germany (25.1 %), followed by France (17.2 %) and Italy (12.3 %), ahead of Spain (8.4 %) and the Netherlands (6.0 %).
At the opposite end of the scale, ten EU Member States contributed less than 1 % to the EU’s total GDP: Malta (which had the lowest share of EU GDP at 0.1 %), Estonia, Cyprus and Latvia (all 0.2 %), Croatia, Lithuania and Slovenia (all 0.4 %), Bulgaria and Luxembourg (both 0.5 %), and Slovakia (0.7 %).
When comparing the GDP of 2019 and 2020 in the EU Member States, Spain took the biggest hit (-10.8%), followed by Greece (-9.0 %), Italy (-8.9 %), Portugal (-8.4 %), Malta (-8.2 %), Croatia (-8.1 %) and France (-7.9 %). The only EU country that registered an increase in GDP in 2020 was Ireland (+5.9 %).
For more information:
EU energy consumption plummeted in 2020
In 2020, primary energy consumption in the EU dropped sharply to 1 236 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), which is 5.8% better than the efficiency target for 2020, thus clearly outperforming it. Yet, this is still 9.6% away from the 2030 target, implying that efforts to improve efficiency need to be maintained in the years to come. Final energy consumption reached 907 Mtoe: 5.4 % better than the efficiency target for 2020 and 7.2 % away from the 2030 target.
This information comes from data on energy statistics published by Eurostat today. The article presents a handful of findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article.
EU energy consumption in 2020 reached the lowest levels since 1990 (the first year for which data are available), which is largely explained by the effects of the pandemic. It peaked in 2006 when primary energy consumption was 15.1 % above the 2020 target and final energy consumption was 9.0% above the 2020 target.
Compared with the 2017-2019 average, primary energy consumption decreased by 9.9% at the EU level and final energy consumption by 8.4%. A significant part of this sharp drop is due to COVID-19 related restrictions.
Primary and final energy consumption drop in all Member States
When comparing with the 2017-2019 average, primary energy consumption decreased in all EU Member States. The highest decreases were recorded in Estonia (-21.2 %), followed by Spain (-14.8 %) and Cyprus (-13.4 %), while Lithuania (-0.7 %), Hungary (-2.5 %) and Romania (-4.5 %) registered the smallest reductions.
2020 energy consumption compared 2017-2019 average: primary and final
The same general drop was also registered in the final energy consumption compared with the 2017-2019 average. The highest drops were registered in Malta (-17.4 %), Cyprus (-15.9 %) and Spain (-14.2 %) and the smallest in Romania (-0.3 %), Hungary (-2.9 %) and Sweden (-2.9 %).
For more information:
- Eurostat Statistics Explained article on energy efficiency
- Eurostat database on energy
- Eurostat dedicated section on energy
- DG Energy dedicated website on energy efficiency
- Primary energy consumption measures total domestic energy demand, while final energy consumption refers to what end users actually consume. The difference relates mainly to what the energy sector needs itself and to transformation and distribution losses.
- The EU has an energy efficiency target of reducing energy consumption by 20% by 2020. The primary energy consumption should amount to no more than 1 312 Mtoe and final energy consumption to no more than 959 Mtoe in 2020.
- The EU energy efficiency target for 2030 aims at a primary energy consumption of no more than 1 128 Mtoe and a final energy consumption of no more than 846 Mtoe.
McKinsey’s week in Charts
McKinsey Global Institute’s new research proposes a new way of looking at the world’s wealth: the balance sheet. On that view, a notable finding is that, after tripling in value from 2000 to 2020, residential real estate amounted to nearly half of global net worth in 2020; corporate and government buildings and land accounted for about another quarter. Infrastructure, industrial structures, machinery and equipment, intangibles, and mineral reserves—the assets that typically drive economic growth—made up only one-fifth of real assets.
To read the article, see “The rise and rise of the global balance sheet: How productively are we using our wealth?,” November 15, 2021.
High-tech solutions for the net-zero equation
Advanced technologies are key to decarbonization, and there are climate-technology needs that have yet to be realized. Next-generation technologies in five areas—agriculture, carbon capture, electrification, hydrogen, and the power grid—could reduce 40 percent of greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050 and could draw as much as USD 2 trillion in annual investments in the next few years.
To read the article, see “Innovating to net zero: An executive’s guide to climate technology,” October 28, 2021.
Transgender people twice as likely to be unemployed
Transgender people continue to face stigma and discrimination, despite gains in public visibility. Those struggles carry over to the workforce, where transgender people overall are underrepresented, according to our recent survey: nearly 30 percent of transgender people in the United States are not in the workforce and are twice as likely as the cisgender population to be unemployed.
To read the article, see “Being transgender at work,” November 10, 2021
How we hoarded
In the pandemic, consumers bought everything online. E-commerce sales of toilet paper nearly tripled, and paper towels rose by about 50 percent.
To read the article, see “Beyond COVID-19: The new consumer behavior is sticking in the tissue industry,” October 26, 2021.
A tale of three US consumers
In the depths of the pandemic, lower-income consumers accelerated their spending, while medium- and high-income consumers pulled back. More recently, those patterns have reversed.
To read the article, see “US consumer sentiment and behaviors during the coronavirus crisis,” October 18, 2021.
Which EU countries had the highest GDP in 2020?
In 2020, the gross domestic product (GDP) of the EU stood at around EUR 13 400 billion at current prices. In real terms, the EU’s GDP in 2020 was 7.6 % higher than its level a decade ago. However, real GDP was 5.9% lower than its level in 2019; it was the first drop in EU GDP since 2009, when GDP declined by 4.3 % compared with 2008.
The decrease in economic activity and consequently in GDP is consistent with the restrictions implemented in 2020 to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
In 2020, slightly more than a quarter of the EU’s GDP was generated by Germany (25.1 %), followed by France (17.2 %) and Italy (12.3 %), ahead of Spain (8.4 %) and the Netherlands (6.0 %).
The McKinsey year in Charts
Here’s a look back at some of our favorite data visualizations from our Charting the Path to the Next Normal series.
Our Charting the Path to the Next Normal series was launched in 2020 and offers a daily chart that helps explain a changing world during the pandemic and beyond. Here we’ve curated 21 of this year’s best data visualisations that have illuminated some of the key themes and trends covered in our publishing during year two of the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, they capture a lot of what our collective next normal looked and felt like in 2021. Browse through the charts below to learn more about the lingering pandemic, the future of work, the impact of climate change, and digital’s ever-evolving landscape.
While the quick arrival of vaccines buoyed optimism, the persistence of COVID-19 and the rise of variants continue to pose stumbling blocks toward achieving herd immunity. In this new normal, people are learning to live with an endemic disease.
In 2020, the mortality rate from COVID-19 in the US was eightfold higher than that from influenza in a typical season. Heading into 2021, cases of SARS-CoV-2 persisted even with the approval and distribution of vaccines, largely due to the proliferation of virus variants and public resistance to the injections, mask wearing, and other personal behaviors. COVID-19 will never be eradicated, but it could become more like the common cold or flu—if much more of the population gets vaccinated.
Published in March
New drug development typically takes about ten years. Vaccines for COVID-19, though, were granted emergency-use approval in less than a year. The nature of the global crisis caused regulators and governments to accept higher levels of risk and carry out process steps in parallel rather than sequentially. As COVID-19 variants such as Omicron take hold, drugmakers may have to turn to these streamlined processes again and create vaccines specifically tailored to these variants.
Published in May
A global logistics task of unprecedented scale has so far proven insufficient in the push toward herd immunity against COVID-19. Manufacturers have distributed billions of vaccines worldwide, yet many countries have vaccination rates that remain well below 80 percent. This is due to a variety of challenges, including logistics capabilities to physically distribute the vaccines (especially in rural areas), a shortage of ancillary supplies such as personal protective equipment in the distribution areas, and vaccine misinformation and lack of motivation to receive it by some in the population.
Published in February
Herd immunity in several countries by summer seemed possible if they had faced only the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 virus and if a high percentage of those eligible to receive the vaccine had taken it. Instead, the more infectious Delta variant spread globally, and now the Omicron variant (with unknown contagiousness so far) has been detected in dozens of countries. Click through the interactive to see our projections from the fall—before Omicron emerged—in the quest for herd immunity.
Published in September
A crisis on new talent emerges
The future of work is at a pivotal crossroad—with many workers reassessing their options. During the pandemic, people grappled with finding meaning and purpose in their work. Will the future of work be hybrid, purposeful, inclusive, and built for balance?
The shift to remote work at the start of the pandemic was abrupt. Organizations had to quickly implement virtual work or a hybrid model. But as leaders looked toward a postpandemic work environment, their messages—or lack thereof—about what this vision entailed left employees confused and anxious about whether their needs would be met.
Published in June
Business leaders who presumed they could ensure their workers stuck around just by offering bonuses but ignored the human aspects of work likely saw some of the Great Attrition in action. Flexible work schedules and time to care for family ranked high on the list of important factors for employees, which didn’t necessarily align with what organisations thought their workers valued.
Published in October
Americans who were already struggling financially before the pandemic faced even more economic instability. Lower-income workers, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community cut back on spending more than other groups. Click through to see how people were affected on five financial dimensions.
Published in June
Frontline workers were deemed essential at the height of the pandemic and helped ensure Americans stayed fed, clothed, and cared for medically. Our analysis found that large shares of Black workers in these industries earn less than USD 30000 annually.
Asian, , Hispanics, White
Published in March
Black employees hold a disproportionate share of frontline jobs and encounter “broken rungs” on the corporate ladder, leading to a lack of Black leaders in organizations. There are only four Black CEOs at Fortune 500 companies.
Published in April
Women have made gains in corporate America but they remain underrepresented. Today, women still make up less than 25 percent of executive-level positions. And now, burnout from the pandemic has forced even more women to leave the workforce altogether.
Published in October
Remote work allowed for more flexibility but also resulted in more employee burnout as workers waited for their companies to provide better communication about the future of postpandemic work. Nearly half of all survey respondents indicated they were at least somewhat burned out at work since the start of the pandemic.
Published in April
The pandemic quickly changed how businesses get work done. According to our latest global survey on reskilling, many organizations increasingly prioritized the development of soft skills—reskilling workers to cultivate empathy, leadership, and adaptability skills.
Published in May
Sustainability gains steam
Wildfires, lethal heat, flooding, and more: the effects of climate change became increasingly visible in 2021. The COP26 meetings drove a number of commitments as leaders reckoned with what it will take to achieve energy-related sustainable-development goals. Now is the time for action that safeguards Earth and beyond.
Working toward a sustainable future is no longer optional. And while there is no singular, clear answer to build a global economy that incorporates sustainability with inclusion and growth, there are powerful forces that link these three elements. Leaders and strategists can find the solutions by first asking the right questions—and by acknowledging that those three factors can’t be viewed as trade-offs.
Published in November
Carbon dioxide is the main contributor to climate change, but methane emissions are a close second: up to 50 percent of CH4 emissions are the result of agricultural practices. Methane stays in the atmosphere for only a decade, but it traps more heat than CO2 does.
Published in November
Sustainability efforts that protect natural habitats don’t just benefit the creatures living there. They help local economies thrive and could even reduce the risk of a future pandemic. Our edition of McKinsey for Kids on the value of nature explores why conserving mangrove forests has wide-reaching benefits, including preservation of the species shown in these illustrations.
Published in May
It’s miles away from the climate-change calamity, but it’s not shielded from humans’ messes. Space is cluttered with tens of thousands of pieces of debris, some of which have collided with other objects—such as the International Space Station. Cleaning up space junk will require a multitrack approach with collaboration among agencies and governments.
Published in October
Digital dominates the growth agenda
The pandemic greatly accelerated the embrace of digital technologies, and leading companies that had a digital edge pulled even farther ahead of laggards. Up ahead, clean tech, e-commerce, and increased focus on cybersecurity measures will dominate the digital agenda.
What’s trendy in tech for execs? Advanced automation and going green. Cutting-edge digitization will use machine learning to automate programming tasks, interpret data in real time, and accelerate decision making. Click through to see which ten trends are most relevant to competitive advantage and tech investment.
Published in July
Advances in digitizsation are reliant upon semiconductors, found in everything from smartphones to cars. Shortages of these materials have left the supply chain in a lurch, forcing manufacturers to rethink how these chips are sourced. Our analysis found new paths through which many OEMs would shoulder more of the design and development work themselves.
Published in August
E-commerce is the ticket for businesses seeking to stay competitive during the pandemic. Retailers with strong digital footprints outperformed other industries during COVID-19 lockdowns. Companies that didn’t prioritize e-commerce may not catch up.
Published in July
Data breaches are becoming more sophisticated, prompting some industries—especially banking and healthcare—to enhance their cybersecurity measures. Protection efforts vary widely across sectors, despite increasing awareness and expectations among consumers. The seriousness of cyberthreats is so great that it prompted Nicole Perlroth, author and winner of the 2021 Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year, to leave her position at the New York Times to join a new committee with the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Published in September
For more on the pandemic and the world’s response to it, see McKinsey Global Publishing’s full collection of insights on the next normal beyond the coronavirus.
To get a roundup of these charts delivered weekly to your inbox, sign up for The Week in Charts newsletter at McKinsey.com/subscriptions.
Our data-visualization editors, Nicole Esquerre-Thomas, Richard Johnson, Matt Perry, Jonathon Rivait, and Jessica Wang created all the charts featured in this collection and choose the best of their creations daily for our Charting the Path to the Next Normal series. This collection was assembled by Mike Borruso, Richard Johnson, Stephen Landau, Charmaine Rice, Katie Shearer, Amanda Soto, Mark Staples, Sarah Thuerk, and Nathan Wilson.
This page is just part of our full year-end series celebrating the best of McKinsey Global Publishing in 2021. See the full collection at, 2021 year in review: Envisioning sustainable, inclusive growth.