Labour costs among the EU-27 ranged from about € 4 to almost € 40. Among the lowest are Bulgaria, Romania and two Baltic States (Latvia and Lithuania). The highest levels of salaries are in Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, etc. Although comparing labour costs is a complex issue, but somehow it shows the maturity of the welfare society, as average costs in EU are at the level of € 23-28.
According to Eurostat statistics for 2012, hourly labour costs ranged from € 3,7 to € 39,0 across the EU-27 member states. However average hourly labour costs in the whole EU economy (excluding agriculture and public administration) were estimated to be €23,4 in the EU-27 and €28,0 in the euro area (EU-17).
However, the average figures mask significant differences between EU states, with hourly labour costs ranging from €3,7 in Bulgaria, €4,4 in Romania, €5,8 in Lithuania and €6,0 in Latvia, to €39,0 in Sweden, €38,1 in Denmark, €37,2 in Belgium, €34,6 in Luxembourg and €34,2 in France.
Eurostat acknowledged that when comparing labour cost in euro over time, it should be noted that data for the states outside the euro area are influenced by exchange rate movements.
Source: the Baltic Course - Eugene Eteris, European Studies Faculty , RSU, Riga