Romania recorded the second largest increase in hourly labor costs in the EU in the first quarter of this year, with a 7.1% advance. Latvia saw the largest increase with a 7.3% growth.

Bulgaria recorded a 6.9% rise, followed by Lithuania (5.9%) and Estonia (5%). The indicator is calculated by dividing total labor costs to the number of hours worked.

Romania’s industry recorded a 7.1% increase in labor costs, the construction sector saw a 6% growth, whereas the services sector had a 7.5% increase.

At the EU level, the hourly labor costs went up by 2.5% in the first quarter.

editor@romania-insider.com