Countries With Highest And Lowest Hourly Labour Costs In the EU And Eurozone, 2017

It may surprise you to learn that With €42.5 of average hourly labour costs, Denmark topped the list, followed by Belgium (€39.6), Luxembourg (€37.6), Sweden (€36.6), and France (€36.0).

Whereas, the lowest hourly labour costs recorded in Bulgaria (€4.9), Romania (€6.3), Lithuania (€8.0), Latvia (€8.1), Hungary (€9.1), and Poland (€9.4).

In 2017, average hourly labour costs in the whole economy (excluding agriculture and public administration) were estimated to be €26.8 in the European Union (EU) and €30.3 in the eurozone.

These estimates are issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Data cover enterprises with 10 or more employees.

Countries With Highest And Lowest Hourly Labour Costs In the EU And Eurozone, 2017

1. Denmark: €42.5
2. Belgium: €39.6
3. Luxembourg: €37.6
4. Sweden: €36.6
5. France: €36.0
6. Netherlands: €34.8
7. Germany: €34.1
8. Austria: €34.1
9. Finland: €32.7
10. Ireland: €31.0
11. Italy: €28.2
12. United Kingdom: €25.7
13. Spain:€21.20
14. Slovenia: €17.0
15. Cyprus: €16.0
16. Greece: €14.5
17. Portugal: €14.10
18. Malta: €13.8
19. Estonia: €11.70
20. Czech Republic: €11.30
21. Slovakia: €11.10
22. Croatia: €10.60
23. Poland: €9.4
24. Hungary: €9.1
25. Latvia: €8.1
26. Lithuania: €8.0
27. Romania: €6.3
28. Bulgaria: €4.9

European Union (EU): €26.8
Eurozone: €30.3
Iceland: €42.96
Norway: €51.0

Labour costs consist of wages and salaries and non-wage costs (e.g. employers’ social contributions). The share of non-wage costs in total labour costs for the whole economy was 24.0% in the EU and 25.9% in the euro area. Full-details here.