Romania had an average hourly labour cost of EUR 4.8 in 2014, five times lower than the EU average of EUR 24.4, according to a study by Germany’s Federal Statistics Office.

Romania’s labour cost is the second lowest in the EU. Bulgaria is last with an average hourly labour cost of EUR 3.8.

The indicator includes the gross salaries as well as the taxes and contributions that employers have to pay.

Denmark ranks first in the EU with an average hourly labour cost of EUR 42, almost nine times higher than in Romania. Belgium is second, with EUR 41.1 per hour, and Sweden is third, with EUR 40.2 per hour. Germany ranks eighth, with an average hourly labour cost of EUR 31.8.

editor@romania-insider.com