The OECD’s new report, “The Space Economy at a Glance 2026”, provides a snapshot of the transformation of the space economy, a sector once considered niche and now increasingly integrated into a wider economy, along with services and essential infrastructure. Global revenues linked to space activities are estimated at between USD 550 billion and USD 600 billion in 2025, depending on the scope considered, emphasising the sector’s growing economic importance. Italy also stands out as a well-structured ecosystem: it is the second country to have developed harmonised accounts dedicated to the space economy, enabling a more accurate measurement of its contribution to the national economy. Against a backdrop of expanding commercial applications and growing challenges related to resilience and sustainability, the report provides a comparable basis for understanding how the space economy is evolving and shaping policies that can support innovation and competitiveness while addressing the risks associated with growing dependence on space infrastructure.
Author: OECD
Publisher: OECD Publishing, Paris
Publication date: September 2026