Resumen de Value added and employment in Spanish exports: an analysis based on FIGARO data
Juan Cervigón, Jorge Novalbos, María Isabel Parra Arévalo 
, Sixto Muriel de la Riva
Exports play a crucial role in the Spanish economy, contributing significantly to the gross domestic product and employment. This study analyzes the value added and employment generated by Spanish exports during the years 2010 to 2022, using data provided by FIGARO (Full International and Global Accounts for Research in Input-Output Analysis), a database developed by Eurostat that offers detailed information on the input-output relationships between countries and economic sectors. The research focuses on evaluating how Spanish exports contribute to the creation of domestic value added and the generation of employment, both directly and indirectly, through global value chains. It examines the evolution of these indicators during the period from 2010 to 2022, with the final years marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic recovery. The study examines the distribution of value added and employment generated by Spanish exports across different branches of activity and identifies the main destination markets and their evolution during the analyzed period. The work concludes by highlighting the strategic importance of exports for the Spanish economy, not only as a source of economic growth but also as a driver of quality job creation and the improvement of international competitiveness. It emphasizes the need to develop such statistics that harmonize information from different countries for the development of public policies that promote business internationalization, innovation, and adaptation to new global trends, such as digitalization and the green transition. This analysis provides valuable information for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and academics interested in understanding the dynamics of Spanish exports and their impact on the national economy. The results obtained can serve as a basis for designing strategies that enhance the value added and employment associated with export activities, thus contributing to the sustainable economic development of Spain in an increasingly competitive and changing global context.
