‘Technological dependence on American software and cloud services: an estimate of the economic consequences in Europe’ is a new study on Europe’s technological dependence. It was commissioned by Cigref to inform the discussions at the second edition of the Rencontres Numériques de Strasbourg event. This event, which was co-organized by Cigref and Numeum, explored the theme of ‘Digital technology: at the heart of European competitiveness?’
During a plenary conference, Nicolas Bouzou, Director of Asterès economic research firm, unveiled and discussed the study’s findings. The study provides an initial estimate of the economic impact of French & European companies’ purchases of US cloud software and services. This innovative analysis highlights the lack of transparency in data on international trade flows, calling for greater efforts to reduce this dependence.
Three main findings emerge from the study:
- 80% of total spending on cloud software and services for business use in Europe went to US companies, representing a volume of €265 billion.
- This spending, relating exclusively to cloud software and services for business use, represents approximately 2 million direct, indirect, and induced jobs in the US.
- The study also considers future scenarios. If 15% of this spending were retained within the European economy by 2035, around 500,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs would be created, benefiting the European economy.
This study is available in French (version française)