Eurostat data on 2025 hourly labor costs in the EU

According to data released by Eurostat on Tuesday, the average hourly labor cost in the EU reached 34.9 euros in 2025, up from 33.5 euros in 2024, reflecting a 4.1% increase. In the Eurozone, the average cost rose by 3.8% to 38.2 euros. Cyprus reported an average hourly labor cost of 21.7 euros, with a 3.5% increase compared to the previous year and a non-wage cost share of 19.4%. Across the Eurozone, labor costs increased in all nations except Malta, which recorded a 0.5% decrease. Bulgaria (+13.1%), Croatia (+11.6%), Slovenia (+9.3%), and Lithuania (+9.2%) saw the highest growth rates, while France (+2.0%) and Italy (+3.2%) experienced the smallest increases. The lowest labor costs were found in Bulgaria (12.0 euros), Romania (13.6 euros), and Hungary (15.2 euros). Conversely, the highest costs were recorded in Luxembourg (56.8 euros), Denmark (51.7 euros), and the Netherlands (47.9 euros).