How Europe’s growing firefighter workforce reveals new budget priorities
Iain Hoey
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EU spending on fire protection services rises
Eurostat has reported that EU governments spent EUR 40.6 billion on fire protection services in 2023.
In 2022, the total expenditure stood at EUR 37.4 billion.
The increase represents an 8.5% rise year on year.
Eurostat said fire protection consistently accounted for 0.5% of total government expenditure from 2017 through 2023.
Romania recorded the highest proportion of spending on fire protection services in 2023 at 0.9% of total government expenditure.
Estonia and Greece followed at 0.7% each.
Denmark reported the lowest share at 0.1%, followed by Malta at 0.2% and Portugal and Austria at 0.3% each.
Bulgaria’s firefighter employment and budgets
According to Eurostat, Bulgaria allocated EUR 229.1 million to fire protection services in 2023.
This represented 0.6% of its total government expenditure, the same share as 2022.
The figure nevertheless rose from EUR 197.4 million in 2022, reflecting an increase of more than EUR 30 million.
In employment terms, Bulgaria had 7,000 firefighters in 2024 out of a workforce of 3 million.
This represented 0.24% of total employment.
The figure grew from 6,500 firefighters in 2023, equivalent to 0.22% of the country’s workforce.
EU firefighter workforce grows
Eurostat reported that in 2024 the EU had 390,600 professional firefighters.
This represented 0.19% of the total EU workforce.
Compared to 2023, the number of firefighters increased by 28,200.
Among 20 EU countries with available data, Croatia had the highest proportion of firefighters in employment at 0.45%.
Greece followed with 0.41% and Czechia with 0.34%.
The Netherlands recorded the lowest proportion at 0.07%, followed by Denmark at 0.08% and Sweden at 0.10%.
Firefighter age distribution
Eurostat noted that in 2024, 75.2% of all professional firefighters in the EU were aged between 15 and 49.
This compared with 64.8% of all EU employees in the same age range.
The data indicated that firefighting is characterised by a relatively younger workforce compared to general employment.
Long-term trends in spending
Eurostat explained that while expenditure on fire protection services has increased in absolute numbers, its share of total government expenditure has remained stable.
The share has consistently held at 0.5% across the EU since 2017.
This trend demonstrates that rising fire safety budgets reflect broader increases in government expenditure across multiple areas rather than a higher relative prioritisation of fire protection.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
These figures provide an EU-wide perspective on firefighter employment levels and government funding.
They give context on how member states resource fire protection services relative to national budgets.
The data highlights variations between countries, which may inform comparative analysis of workforce planning, age distribution, and resource allocation.
For professionals, this provides insight into budgetary trends and employment capacity that influence operational planning across the EU.
EU firefighters and fire protection spending increase: Summary
Eurostat has reported that EU governments spent EUR 40.6 billion on fire protection services in 2023.
The expenditure was EUR 37.4 billion in 2022.
This reflected an 8.5% increase.
Fire protection has accounted for 0.5% of total EU government expenditure since 2017.
Romania spent 0.9% of its total government expenditure on fire protection in 2023.
Estonia and Greece both recorded 0.7%.
Denmark reported 0.1%.
Bulgaria allocated EUR 229.1 million in 2023 compared to EUR 197.4 million in 2022.
Bulgaria employed 7,000 firefighters in 2024 compared with 6,500 in 2023.
This represented 0.24% of its workforce in 2024.
The EU employed 390,600 firefighters in 2024.
This represented 0.19% of total EU employment.
Compared with 2023, the EU workforce increased by 28,200.
Croatia had the highest proportion of firefighters in employment at 0.45%.
Greece followed with 0.41%.
The Netherlands reported 0.07%.
Across the EU, 75.2% of firefighters were aged 15 to 49 in 2024.
In total EU employment, 64.8% were in that age group.