What Were We Actually Testing?
Before diving into results, it helps to know what questions this research set out to answer. There are two big ones: do data centers push up electricity prices for people living nearby? And do they bring real economic benefits — like tech jobs and innovation — or is that just something companies say to get planning permission?
Each question was broken down into a specific, testable statement. For every statement, the analysis checked whether a real pattern exists across 35 European countries — or whether any apparent link could just be random noise.
Does living with data centers make electricity more expensive?
AI data centers use up to 100× more power per task than older computing. Four questions test whether that demand pressure shows up in what households and businesses pay.
Do countries where data centers use more of the national electricity supply also have higher household bills?
Energy share of data centers tracks household price per kWh
The two move independently — no pattern
When data centers devour a big chunk of national power, does that pressure travel down to ordinary monthly bills?
Do countries with more data centers per person have higher household electricity prices?
Higher data center density per capita links to higher household tariffs
No consistent pattern between density and price
A different angle — sheer number of facilities, not just energy consumption. Both views are worth testing.
Do businesses pay more for electricity where data centers consume more national energy?
High data center energy share links to higher non-household electricity tariffs
No significant relationship between the two
Businesses buy electricity differently to households — do they absorb this cost too, or are they insulated from it?
Do businesses pay more for electricity in countries with more data centers per person?
More data centers per capita links to pricier non-household electricity
No clear relationship
Clustered data centers can create a local demand spike. Does that cost fall differently on companies versus residents?
Do data centers actually help the local economy?
Data centers are sold as economic wins. But a modern facility might employ only a few dozen people full-time despite being the size of several football pitches — the "job paradox." Three questions test whether the benefits are real.
Do countries with more data centers have a larger, more productive tech sector overall?
DC concentration links to higher ICT gross value added
No meaningful relationship
The most direct economic test — does infrastructure density actually show up in national accounts?
Do countries with more data centers have a higher share of workers in tech jobs?
Denser DC infrastructure links to a higher ICT employment share
No consistent link between density and tech employment
Data centers hire few people directly — but do they attract cloud providers and startups that do?
Do countries with more data centers invest more in tech research and development?
Higher DC concentration links to greater business spending on ICT R&D
No significant pattern
Dense infrastructure might pull innovation with it — does the national data agree?
All seven questions tested. Here's what the data actually said.
See the Results → Explore the Data Map