EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY IN THE BIOECONOMY – AN OVERVIEW OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess labour productivity in the bioeconomy and the significance of this sector to the labour market in the member states of the European Union. Design/methodology/approach: The surveys were based on data retrieved from the EU Bioeconomy Monitoring System developed by the European Commission9s Joint Research Center for the years 2010-2020. The official classification of economic activity in Europe (NACE) was used. The analysis took into account the size and structure of employment, the percentage share of bioeconomy workers in the total workforce, and labour productivity. Findings: The study showed that in 2020 bioeconomy employed 16.5 million people in 27 EU member states, but in comparison to the year 2010, the rate of employment decreased by almost 14%. The agricultural and food sector, which from 2010 to 2020 employed 78.5% of bioeconomy workers, plays a predominant role in the market. Member states differ in the number and structure of bioeconomy workers, but also in labour productivity. Labour productivity leaders in the bioeconomy were Ireland, Belgium and Sweden, while the bio-based electricity sector was the most productive one. Agriculture achieved the lowest efficiency in utilising the labour factor, so countries with a high level of employment in agriculture also featured relatively low labour productivity in the bioeconomy. Practical and social implications: New conditions to which the European economy needs to adapt imply a need for the development and social acceptance of the bioeconomy. This also provides a rationale for further research taking into account new socio-economic conditions, including labour market conditions. Originality/value: The study fills the research gap in the assessment of the bioeconomy from the perspective of the labour market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]