Bas Eickhout· Verts/ALE

Nuanced

The European Central Bank stated last year that the investment gap is EUR 1,200 billion per year.

Omissions

• The EUR 1,200 billion figure refers to 'strategic investment needs' covering green, digital, and defence transitions for the period 2025-2031, not just the green investment gap alone.
• The precise figure cited by the ECB is EUR 1,196 billion per year on average, not exactly EUR 1,200 billion.
• The figure comes from ECB's July 2025 analysis which updated previous estimates based on European Commission and NATO sources.
• The investment gap increased from approximately EUR 800 billion a year ago to nearly EUR 1,200 billion, reflecting expanded scope to include defence and updated cost estimates.

Sources

• PrimaryECB Blog - Time to be strategic: how public money could power Europe's green, digital and defence transitionsThe figure of EUR 1,200 billion per year (EUR 1,196 billion precisely) represents updated annual investment requirements for 2025-2031 covering green, digital and defence transitions, up from EUR 800 billion per year previously.
• PrimaryEuropean Commission - High Level Conference: One year after the Draghi reportThe ECB puts annual investment requirements for 2025-2031 at nearly EUR 1,200 billion, up from EUR 800 billion a year ago.