Industry Statistics and Trends
Water Utilities in Europe key trends
Water meters make consumption tracking much easier.
Knowing how much customers are using means suppliers have been better placed to meet growing demand, while customers are able to be more environmentally conscious.
Strict regulations govern water utilities companies.
Companies have to stick to the rules set out in the Water Framework Directive, the Drinking Water Directive and the Bathing Water Directive.
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Water Utilities in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2011-2029. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Water Utilities in Europe market size (2019-2024)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 3.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €105.9bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Water consumption levels vary between countries
- Revenue is driven by demand for water from private households, commercial clients and agricultural customers across Europe, but demand varies heavily from country to country.
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Water Utilities in Europe outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
The agricultural sector relies more on water supplies
- Demand from the agricultural sector will continue to climb as weather volatility increases the frequency and duration of drought periods, particularly in southern Europe.
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Revenue
€105.9bn
Employees
830k
Wages
€XX.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2019-2024.
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Biggest companies in the Water Utilities in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 | Profit (€m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Veolia Environnement SA | 44,321.4 | 2,603.4 | 5.9 | |
Severn Trent Water Ltd | 2,568.6 | 523.5 | 20.4 | |
Acea SpA | 5,389.4 | 756.5 | 14.0 |
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Water Utilities in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Water Utilities industry in Europe in 2024?
The market size of the Water Utilities industry in Europe is €105.9bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Water Utilities in Europe industry in 2024?
There are 22,588 businesses in the Water Utilities industry in Europe, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Water Utilities industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Water Utilities industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 3.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Water Utilities industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Water Utilities industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Water Utilities in Europe include?
Treated water distribution and Water treatment are part of the Water Utilities industry.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Water Utilities industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Water Utilities industry is Spain.
How competitive is the Water Utilities industry in Europe?
The level of competition is low and steady in the Water Utilities industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Water Utilities in Greece
- Water Utilities in Romania
- Water Utilities in Norway
- Water Utilities in Poland
- Water Utilities in Cyprus
- Water Utilities in North Macedonia
- Water Utilities in Bulgaria
- Water Utilities in Iceland
- Water Utilities in Austria
- Water Utilities in France
- Water Utilities in Lithuania
- Water Utilities in the Netherlands
- Water Utilities in Hungary
- Water Utilities in Switzerland
- Water Utilities in Finland
- Water Utilities in Slovenia
- Water Utilities in Luxembourg
- Water Utilities in Russia
- Water Utilities in Slovakia
- Water Utilities in Sweden
- Water Utilities in Turkey
- Water Utilities in Estonia
- Water Utilities in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Water Utilities in Europe
- Water Utilities in Spain
- Water Utilities in Portugal
- Water Utilities in Serbia
- Water Utilities in Belgium
- Water Utilities in Italy
- Water Utilities in Czechia
- Water Utilities in Denmark
- Water Utilities in Latvia
- Water Utilities in Croatia
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Water utility companies collect, treat and distribute water to domestic and industrial customers. They operate irrigation canals.
Related Terms
DRINKING WATERREMUNICIPALISATIONWASTEWATERWhat's included in this industry?
Treated water distributionWater treatmentWater collectionRaw water distributionCompanies
Veolia Environnement SASevern Trent Water LtdAcea SpAIndustry Code
36 - Water collection, treatment and supply in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Water consumption levels vary between countries
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2024 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Water Utilities in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Employees in the Water Utilities in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Business in the Water Utilities in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Profit in the Water Utilities in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Water Utilities in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Water Utilities in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Water Utilities in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Water Utilities in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Meters make it easier to monitor water consumption. Environmental awareness has ticked up across Europe. Customers with smart water meters often use them to limit their water usage, while utility companies get help with billing customers more accurately.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Water Utilities in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Water Utilities in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Water Utilities in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2024)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2024)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2024)
- IVA (2024)
- Enterprises (2024)
- Employment (2024)
- Exports (2024)
- Imports (2024)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
Regional monopolies mean there’s limited price competition. The industry’s dominated by strictly regulated regional monopolies. Prices are predetermined and water utilities have to provide the best possible service to customers.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2019-2024)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2024)
- Revenue (2024)
- Profit (2024)
- Profit Margin (2024)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Veolia Environnement SA
- Countries of operation for Severn Trent Water Ltd
- Countries of operation for Acea SpA
- Countries of operation for United Utilities Group plc
- Countries of operation for Iren SpA
- Countries of operation for Saur SAS
- Countries of operation for Thames Water Utilities Ltd
- Countries of operation for Eau de Paris
- Countries of operation for Berliner Wasserbetriebe
- Countries of operation for Remondis SE & Co KG
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
The Drinking Water Directive regulates water companies in the EU. Other European countries also face strict regulations. Regulations relate to the quality and monitoring of drinking water and the responsibilities of water suppliers.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Water Utilities in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Depreciation costs escalate as water companies spend more on infrastructure. Companies are pouring funds into plants, water pumps and wastewater treatment facilities to optimise the production process.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Water Utilities in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and boottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2024)
- Business Growth (2024)
- Job Growth (2024)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2024)
- Imports/Demand (2024)
- Exports/Revenue (2024)
- Revenue per Employee (2024)
- Wages/Revenue (2024)
- Employees per Establishment (2024)
- Average Wage (2024)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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