Average hourly wage in member countries EU reached 22.9 euros, while in the euro area it was up 2.6 euros, to 25.5 euros, in 2022, according to data published by the EU statistical service Eurostat. Compared to 2021, wages increased by 4.4% in the EU and by 4.0% in the euro area.
In the euro area, hourly wages and salaries have increased in all member states. The smallest increase was recorded in Italy, Malta and Finland (+2.3% each), and the largest in Lithuania (+13.4%), Estonia (+8.8%) and Croatia (+8.7%). Greece was below the EU average with an increase of approximately 4.2% and overall ranked 18th place in the overall ranking of European countries.
Concerning countries outside the euro area, hourly wages and wages denominated in national currency also increased in all countries. The least increase was in Denmark (+2.2%) and Sweden (+3.0%), and more – in Hungary (+16.4%), Bulgaria (+15.5%), Romania (+12.3%). %) and Poland (+11.7%).
In 2022, compared to 2021, wages in the euro area increased by 2.9% in the non-profit economy and by 4.4% in the business economy: +3.9% in industry, +4.9% in construction and +4.5% in services. In the EU, hourly wages rose by 3.2% in the non-profit economy and by 4.9% in the business economy: +4.6% in manufacturing, +5.2% in construction and +5.0% in services.
In the EU, the types of economic activities in which 2022 was recorded highest annual wage growthwere:
- professional, scientific and technical activities (by 6.4%),
- supply of electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning, financial and insurance activities (by 5.6%).
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