Information in European Union: Market Size, Businesses & Forecast 2026

The information service activities industry in the European Union encompasses data processing, hosting, web portals, news agencies, and other information services. According to official Eurostat data, the broader information and communication sector (ICT) saw its production index rise by 5.3% in 2024 compared to the previous year, reflecting a sustained digital transition (Eurostat, 2025). Furthermore, Eurostat reports that 69% of EU enterprises reached at least a basic level of digital intensity in 2024, driving robust demand for structured information and data services across the bloc.

Industry snapshot

Key public data points

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What does the Information in European Union industry cover?

This industry comprises activities of web portals, data processing, hosting, and related activities, as well as news agencies and all other remaining information service activities. It focuses on the acquisition, processing, curation, and dissemination of digital and textual data for commercial and public consumption. The scope excludes traditional publishing and telecommunications, focusing instead on the infrastructure and services that make information accessible and actionable.

• •Classified under NACE Rev. 2 Division 63 (Information service activities).
• •Includes data processing, hosting, and related activities (Group 63.1).
• •Includes web portals and news agency activities (Group 63.2).

Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?

The market structure is highly bifurcated, consisting of a few massive multinational infrastructure providers alongside thousands of specialized European SMEs. While global hyperscalers dominate the underlying cloud hosting and data processing infrastructure, local European firms lead in localized news syndication, specialized databases, and language-specific information services. This structure requires European operators to carve out high-value niches to compete with global tech giants.

• •A small number of global hyperscalers control the majority of cloud-based data hosting infrastructure.
• •Thousands of local SMEs provide specialized B2B database and translation-integrated information services.
• •National news agencies (e.g., Agence France-Presse) act as primary regional information wholesalers.

What drives demand in the industry?

The primary drivers of demand are the rapid digitization of European enterprises and strict regulatory frameworks requiring robust data management. As EU businesses adopt advanced cloud computing and artificial intelligence, the need for high-quality, structured training data and secure hosting services escalates. Additionally, public administration initiatives across member states continue to push for the digitization of public records and open-data accessibility.

• •Corporate adoption of cloud computing, which reached 45.2% of EU enterprises in 2023 according to Eurostat.
• •Public sector open-data mandates under the EU Open Data Directive.
• •Rising enterprise demand for structured datasets to train machine learning and AI applications safely.

Who are the notable companies in the industry?

The competitive landscape features a mix of global technology giants operating extensive European infrastructure and specialized European information, media, and technology providers. These entities compete fiercely on data security, regulatory compliance, and localized expertise. Major players continuously invest in local European data centers to satisfy regional data residency requirements.

• •Deutsche Telekom AG (operating T-Systems), providing secure European cloud hosting and information services.
• •RELX PLC, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools with deep European operations.
• •OVH Groupe SA (OVHcloud), a prominent European cloud computing and data hosting provider based in France.
• •Wolters Kluwer NV, a Netherlands-based global provider of professional information, software solutions, and services.

What are the recent trends and outlook?

The industry is experiencing a massive shift toward localized 'sovereign cloud' solutions to keep European data within EU borders. Artificial intelligence integration is also transforming information retrieval, turning static databases into conversational, insights-driven platforms. Looking forward, the green transition is forcing data centers to drastically optimize energy efficiency to meet strict EU climate targets.

• •Rising deployment of sovereign cloud frameworks by operators like OVHcloud and Deutsche Telekom.
• •Integration of generative AI tools directly into professional legal and scientific databases (e.g., RELX and Wolters Kluwer solutions).
• •Strict energy efficiency auditing of data centers under the recast Energy Efficiency Directive.

How is the industry regulated?

The European information industry operates under some of the world's most stringent regulatory frameworks, dictating how data is collected, stored, and processed. Compliance is no longer just a legal department concern but a core operational characteristic that shapes product design and service delivery. These regulations aim to protect consumer privacy while fostering a competitive and fair digital market.

• •The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which strictly governs personal data processing.
• •The Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA), regulating online gatekeepers and content moderation.
• •The European AI Act, imposing risk-based compliance rules on data used for artificial intelligence models.

Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.

• Eurostat Digital Economy and Society Statistics 2024 ·
• Eurostat Services Production Index 2025 ·
• European Commission Digital Decade Target Reports ·
• Eurostat Cloud Computing Statistics 2023