If you work in Luxembourg, you're in luck — you're likely being paid the highest hourly wage on average across the whole of Europe. Social contributions can weigh as much as a third of the salary paid to an employee.

Luxembourg

A recent analysis reveals that Luxembourg has the highest total labour costs in the European Union, with employers paying around 57 euros per hour when wages and social contributions are included. This figure is notably higher than Denmark and the Netherlands, which rank second and third, respectively. In contrast, Bulgaria and Hungary have the lowest labour costs in the EU, at 12 and just over 15 euros per hour.

Despite their lower wage levels, Bulgaria and Hungary are projected to experience the fastest real salary growth in 2026, with increases of 3.5% and 2.7% respectively. The report also notes that non-wage costs, such as social contributions, vary significantly across countries, with France, Sweden, and Slovakia having the highest non-salary costs.

Which European countries have the best salaries after taxes?

Which EU countries have the highest labour costs? If you thought starting and running a medium-sized business in the EU was a walk in the park, think again. Hiring someone costs an average of 35 euros per hour for companies with at least 10 employees. If we narrow it down to Eurozone countries only, that figure rises to 38 euros per hour. A quarter of it on average goes to non-wage costs such as social contributions, but there are huge differences from one country to another. France, Sweden and Slovakia sustain the highest non-salary costs. Employers in Luxembourg pay the most in total, around 57 euros per hour, when you include wages and social contributions, the highest rate in the EU. That's a full 5 euros more per hour than second-placed Denmark and almost 10 euros more than the Netherlands in third place. The gap between the top and the bottom of the ranking is glaring. In Bulgaria, labour costs are just 12 euros per hour, the lowest in the EU, and a little over 15 euros in Hungary. However, according to analysts, these two countries are expected to see the fastest real salary growth in 2026, around 3.5% in Hungary and 2.7% in Bulgaria.

NASA’s historic Artemis II mission to the moon launched Wednesday evening, taking four astronauts into Earth's orbit and on a path toward the world's first crewed lunar mission in a generation, beginning a journey into remarkable territory.

Florida

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Washington

Iran Strikes

Middle East Conflict

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Brussels

Ukraine Invasion

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Baghdad

American journalist Shelly Kittleson kidnapped in Iraq

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Cape Canaveral

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Jupiter

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Beirut

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London

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Madrid

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West Bloomfield Township

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Bucha

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Tehran

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Jerusalem

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Havana

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Kharg

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Breakdown