Accenture Study: Europe’s Productivity Is 24% Lower Than That of the U.S., Primarily Due to Slow Technology Adoption

Europe risks falling behind in the global AI race, and in order to close the productivity gap with the U.S. and remain competitive, companies must accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, according to Accenture’s latest report.

Today, a European worker produces only 76% of what an American worker does — a significant drop from 30 years ago when the two regions were on par. A major factor behind this gap is the lack of investment in technology.

According to Accenture’s research, 56% of the 800 large European companies analyzed have not implemented any major AI projects. If all European companies with revenues over €1 billion reached the AI maturity level of the top-performing industries, Europe’s economy could grow by nearly €200 billion annually.

“Artificial intelligence is no longer just a matter of vision — it is becoming increasingly critical to boosting productivity and maintaining economic competitiveness in Europe. Romania has the opportunity to play an active role in this transformation, but it requires consistent investments in technology, digital education, and partnerships that connect local initiatives with global developments,” said Raluca Burghelea, Country Managing Director, Accenture Romania.

There is also a clear divide between large companies and smaller ones: 48% of large companies have implemented at least one transformational initiative using generative AI, compared to only 31% of SMEs. Given that Europe has a much higher share of small businesses compared to the U.S., this gap poses a real vulnerability.

The automotive, aerospace, and defense sectors are leading in AI adoption, while telecommunications and utilities — pillars of Europe’s infrastructure — are lagging behind. These imbalances raise not only competitiveness concerns but also issues of technological sovereignty. At the national level, Switzerland leads in AI capabilities, followed by Germany, the UK, and France, while Italy and Spain rank lowest.

Building the Ecosystem and Workforce

To fully unlock the benefits of artificial intelligence, the report recommends building a strong, competitive AI ecosystem. This means supporting smaller companies in adopting AI technologies, strengthening a self-sufficient European ecosystem, and developing a coordinated industrial strategy.

AI literacy and workforce preparedness are also essential. Many European workers (60%) fear losing their jobs, and around one-third (36%) feel they lack the necessary skills to use AI effectively.

“In a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, solving Europe’s productivity deficit is more crucial than ever. Artificial intelligence presents a unique opportunity for Europe to reinvent its economy and significantly enhance its competitiveness. While companies are making progress, they need to better leverage the power of cloud, modernize data architecture, and invest in skills development to scale AI faster and realize its full potential. A coordinated strategy — including shared AI infrastructure and investments — will prevent fragmented efforts and help businesses across Europe access computing power, R&D, and training programs. Europe has all the resources needed to capitalize on the AI revolution. Now is the time to act,” said Mauro Macchi, CEO of Accenture for EMEA.

The analysis identifies several key barriers to scaling AI, including challenges in data quality and integration, building and retaining multidisciplinary teams, managing security and privacy risks, and demonstrating business value.

To overcome these challenges, the report recommends investing in resolving data-related barriers and creating a high-quality, integrated data foundation. It also emphasizes the importance of continuous employee upskilling through training and learning programs. Regarding security, it calls for the implementation of secure digital systems to reduce risks and technical issues