European University Association (EUA): “One Billion Euros are Spent Every Year Across Europe in Electronic Resources, Of Which More Than 700 Million Go To Periodicals Alone”

From the European University Association Release (Full Text):

EUA has published a preview of the results of the latest edition of its Big Deals survey. The large-scale initiative covers 31 consortia in Europe, representing universities and other organisations, responsible for the negotiation of Big Deal contracts with publishers.

The preliminary results show that more than one billion euros [$1.13 Billion/USD] are spent every year across Europe in electronic resources, of which more than 700 million go to periodicals alone. These numbers are subject to an average annual increase of 3.6%. Notably, universities support about 72% of these costs.

The survey results illustrate EUA’s contribution to increasing transparency in the publishing area, particularly from the point of view of universities. This aim is also in line with the recent complaint that EUA presented to the European Commission, DG Competition, on the lack of transparency and competition in the academic publishing market in Europe and beyond.

Conducted in 2018, this is EUA’ s second Big Deals survey. The first edition was published early last year. Not only has the number of surveyed consortia increased from 27, but the quality of the data gathered has improved greatly. EUA will link the outcomes of this survey with other key areas in its work, namely institutional policies on Open Access, research assessment methodologies and its impact analysis of Plan S.

The full survey report will be published in April 2019 on the occasion of the EUA Annual Conference.

Filed under: Companies (Publishers/Vendors), Data Files, News, Open Access, Publishing, Reports