PPPs by sector

Figure 13 shows that there have also been substantial differences in the evolution of individual sectors in the recent financial crisis.

Figure 13. Number (top panel) and value (bottom panel, in € millions) of PPPs projects by sector and year

Sources: EIB, HM Treasury, Irish PPP Unit, various commercial databases.

To start with the most important sector, PPPs in transport infrastructure soared in 2007-08, but in 2009 returned to similar figures as seen in 2001-06. Transport remains the largest sector by value, however it now only accounts for 22% of the total number of PPPs in Europe. While its share by value remains slightly above 50%, the relative importance of the transport sector in PPPs is diminishing. Indeed, previous results from Blanc-Brude (2007) suggested that this number was close to 80% over the period 1990-2006. Education is the second largest sector, with 27% by number and 14% by value over the period 2007-09. Health accounts for another 22% by number of deals and 12% by value.