The European trend to improve its production processes and to relocate the most intensive in the use of materials and resources translates into better indicators of material productivity. However, some countries on the continent continue to generate a very significant material footprint indirectly through consumption.
Switzerland and the Netherlands are two success stories. lead the ranking of countries with the best material productivity indices (specifically, for each unit of material used, they are capable of generating $6.4 and $6.2 of GDP respectively) and, in addition, their consumption of materials per capita are found below the global averages.
Other countries that have achieved indicators of material productivity also very remarkable in the international context (explained to a large extent by the evolution towards an economy centered on services), they are not capable of reducing their material footprint per capita if not everything contrary. Within the European Union, Ireland, Luxembourg and Austria stand out, with consumption of material per capita that is around 19-25 tons. Figures that practically double the average material consumption global. Spain shows the seventh best productivity indicator (4.2) in the world and its per capita material consumption (9.2) remains below the average European and global.
