Assessing the impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU on regions and cities in EU27

The objective of the study is to provide an analysis on the exposure of EU27 regions to the UK and the likely impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU on regions and cities in EU27. The methodology used is mainly based on a literature review, a statistical analysis using EU (Eurostat) and international databases, while also relying on more qualitative case studies and interviews with local stakeholders. - The exposure index covering the EU27 regions at two-digit sectoral level must be considered as the main delivery of the study; calculations are based on updated data on trade flows (exports) considering six key economic sectors in EU27 (i.e. Transport Vehicles, Machinery, Electronics, Textile and Furniture, Vegetables, Foodstuff and Wood, Chemical and Plastics). - Results must be interpreted with caution. The research was carried out in a moving context of information (with new studies recently published in the field and events being frequently organized at EU, national and regional levels), with limited access to disaggregated data at NUTS 3 level and with still high uncertainties on the future of negotiations and possible scenarios. - Based on the index calculations, we are able to identify, for each sector, some of the countries and regions that could be most impacted by Brexit. The main contribution of this approach is to indicate to LRAs the direct policy implications of Brexit on specific sectors and the related negotiations on which they should focus.