---
title: "EU hourly labor costs hit €34.9 average as Eastern states lead growth rates"
url: https://moldova1.md/p/72521/eu-hourly-labor-costs-hit-34-9-average-as-eastern-states-lead-growth-rates
published: 2026-03-31T16:06:36Z
language: en
author: "Bogdan Nigai"
section: "International"
source: moldova1.md
---

# EU hourly labor costs hit €34.9 average as Eastern states lead growth rates

> Brussels, Eurostat Data. Hourly labor costs across the European Union continued their upward trajectory in 2025. However, massive structural disparities remain between member states, ranging from €12 in the East to nearly €57 in Western Europe.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/8346c31d-bf81-42a4-a6c9-6a31c68adb8c.jpg)

Brussels, Eurostat Data. Hourly labor costs across the European Union continued their upward trajectory in 2025. However, massive structural disparities remain between member states, ranging from €12 in the East to nearly €57 in Western Europe.

The average hourly labor cost in the EU reached €34.9, up from €33.5 in 2024. In the Eurozone, the average was recorded at €38.2, reflecting a steady climb driven by wage adjustments and persistent economic pressures.

**The East-West divide**

Bulgaria recorded the lowest labor costs at €12 per hour, followed by Romania at €13.6 and Hungary at €15.2. In contrast, Luxembourg maintains the highest costs at €56.8, followed by Denmark at €51.7.

This creates a stark five-fold disparity between the EU's highest and lowest earners. Such a gap highlights the ongoing challenge of economic convergence within the single market.

**Sectoral performance and non-wage burdens**

Construction remains the most cost-efficient sector for employers, with an EU average of €31.5 per hour. This sits notably below the non-business economy, which includes healthcare and education, averaging €35.5.

Within the Eurozone, industry leads as the most expensive sector at €40.3 per hour. Conversely, construction remains the most affordable for firms at an average of €34.4.

**Rapid growth in emerging economies**

Year-on-year, EU labor costs rose by 4.2%. Bulgaria saw the most aggressive surge at 13.1%, while Romania and Poland reported significant increases of 10.6% and 8.8% respectively.

In contrast, mature economies like France and Italy saw more moderate growth of 2.0% and 3.2%. Malta was the sole outlier, recording a marginal decrease of 0.5% in labor expenses.

**Taxation and social contributions**

Direct wages are not the only factor for employers. Non-wage costs, such as social contributions, account for roughly 25% of the total expenditure in both the EU and the Eurozone.

France and Sweden continue to record the highest non-wage burdens. These statutory costs remain a critical factor in determining the overall competitiveness of European businesses on the global stage.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**