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Labour Costs in EU: Croatia Sees Biggest Increase Despite Still Low Figures Canva

Labour Costs in EU: Croatia Sees Biggest Increase Despite Still Low Figures

Written by  Apr 02, 2024

In 2023, the average hourly labor costs in the European Union were €31.8, while in the eurozone, they were estimated at €35.6. For comparison, in 2022, they were €30.5 and €34.3, respectively. This represents a growth of 5.3% compared to the previous year. The latest Eurostat data shows that there are still significant differences between EU member states, but labor costs within the eurozone have increased the most in Croatia.

The lowest labor costs were, as in 2022, in Bulgaria (€9.3) and Romania (€11), while the highest were again in Luxembourg (€53.9), Denmark (€48.1), and Belgium (€47.1).

Although Croatia recorded the highest increase in labor costs in the eurozone (by 14.2%), it still ranks near the bottom of Europe with an hourly labor cost of €14.4. Below Croatia are Bulgaria and Romania, and Hungary with costs of €12.8 and Latvia with €13.5 per hour of work. Polish employers pay only ten cents more per hour than ours.

Among the countries outside the eurozone, labor costs have increased the most in Hungary (17%), Romania (16.5%), and Poland (12.4%). They have increased the least in Denmark (2.7%).

In Austria, Germany, and Ireland, countries where Croats often go abroad for work, labor costs are incomparably higher. For example, in Germany, an employer pays €41.3 per hour of work, slightly less in Austria - €40.9, while Ireland follows with €40.2 per hour. In neighboring Slovenia, an hour of work costs €25.5.

The Voice of Dubrovnik

THE VOICE OF DUBROVNIK


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