An overview of Europe's medical technology employment landscape

The European medical technology industry is a significant employer, with a substantial workforce driving innovation and growth in the sector, according to MedTech Europe.

The medical technology industry in Europe directly employs over 880,000 people, accounting for approximately 0.36% of total employment in the region. This significant workforce is distributed across various countries, with Germany having the highest absolute number of people employed in medical technology.

While Germany leads in terms of absolute numbers, Ireland and Switzerland have the highest number of medical technology employees per capita. This suggests that these countries have a strong focus on the medical technology sector, with a higher proportion of their workforce engaged in this industry.

The medical technology industry in Europe is characterised by a high prevalence of SMEs, which account for around 90% of the sector. Most of these SMEs employ fewer than 50 people, indicating a dynamic and entrepreneurial landscape.

The medical tech industry is notable for its high productivity, with the value added per employee estimated to be around €177,000 per employee. This highlights the significant contribution of the sector to the European economy.