The European Union's economic growth and productivity have lagged behind the United States since the mid-1990s, with significant disparities existing among member nations. This report investigates these trends by examining industry-level output, input, and productivity performance to determine the extent to which country-specific variations are influenced by industry structure. It explores concepts such as industry taxonomies, structural and cyclical performance, company-level productivity, and policies aimed at enhancing productivity, all while detailing the data sources and methodologies employed.

This report is presented as an analytical study by the European Commission, focusing on the comparative economic performance of the EU against the US. The framing suggests a detailed examination of industrial sectors to understand productivity differences, likely targeting policymakers, economists, and industry analysts. The scope indicates a data-driven approach to identifying the drivers of economic competitiveness and potential areas for policy intervention within the EU.