This graphic breaks down each member state’s net contribution to the EU budget for 2021, using data from the European Commission (accessed via Statista). The data shows that nine member states contributed more than they received, with the largest contributions coming from Germany and France. The remaining 18 member states were net beneficiaries.
The figures we used to create this graphic are listed in the table below.
The EU’s budget is designed to fund shared projects that benefit the union as a whole. Member states contribute to the budget based on their economic size and gross national income (GNI). Resources are then redistributed from wealthier member states to promote overall cohesion and growth across the entire EU.
A Factor in Brexit
The UK’s status as a net contributor to the EU budget was one of several factors that influenced its decision to leave the EU. A common argument was that its contributions could be used for domestic priorities instead. Data visualized by Statista shows that the UK’s contributions to the budget increased significantly after the 2008 global financial crisis.
What do Europeans Think of the EU?
Polls conducted by Allianz Research have shown that views regarding the EU differ significantly by country. For example, in 2024, a majority of Spanish and Austrian respondents believed their country gained more advantages than disadvantages from EU membership. The opposite was true for French and German respondents.
