Work costs more in Germany than the EU average

Wiesbaden (dpa) – The cost of labor is more expensive in Germany than the EU average. Employers in industry and services had to spend 43.40 euros per hour worked last year, as reported by the German Federal Statistical Office.

This was the seventh highest value among EU countries and significantly above the community average of 33.50 euros. The highest labor costs were recorded in Luxembourg at 55.20 euros, and the lowest in Bulgaria at 10.60 euros. 

The comparison takes into account gross wage costs and additional wage costs such as social contributions. The different wage levels reflect the productivity of companies as well as the tax burden and the bargaining power of trade unions.

The highest increases in labor costs compared to 2020 were observed in catching-up economies such as Poland (+19 percent), Croatia (14.2 percent), Bulgaria (13.9 percent), or Romania (13.5 percent). The lowest increase was in the Czech Republic at 1.3 percent. Germany had an increase of 5 percent, which is average among EU countries. (April 30)