13.8 million Europeans depend on the automotive industry.

Omissions

• The 13.8 million figure is the European Commission's standing official figure for direct and indirect jobs (based on ACEA-sourced data, vintage circa 2018-2021). ACEA's most recent estimates put the number slightly lower, at around 13 to 13.2 million Europeans (about 7% of total EU employment, including 2.4 million manufacturing jobs).
• The European Commission page is undated, so its exact data vintage is unknown; however, it was still the official figure cited as recently as late 2025.
• The figure covers the wider automotive ecosystem (direct plus indirect employment), not only direct manufacturing jobs.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Commission, DG GROW — Automotive industry sector pageThe automotive sector provides direct and indirect jobs to 13.8 million Europeans, representing 6.1% of total EU employment. 2.6 million people work in manufacturing.
• SecondaryACEA — The EU auto industry accounts for 7% of all jobsThe latest figures on EU employment show that the automotive sector provides jobs for 13 million Europeans, accounting for 7% of total employment in the European Union.
• SecondaryACEA — Automotive sector: direct and indirect employment in the EUThe automotive industry provides direct and indirect jobs for 13.2 million Europeans, including 2.4 million manufacturing jobs.