The hourly cost of labor in the EU has reached 34.9 euros. Romania remains among the cheapest, at 13.6 euros.

According to data published by Eurostat, the hourly labor cost in the European Union was 34.9 euros in 2025, and in the euro area it was 38.2 euros, an increase compared to 2024.

Romania recorded a cost of 13.6 euros, being among the lowest in the EU, alongside Bulgaria, which has 12 euros.

The highest costs are in Luxembourg (56.8 euros), Denmark (51.7 euros), and the Netherlands (47.9 euros).

The hourly cost includes wages and social contributions paid by employers, and the share of non-wage costs was 24.8% in the EU. Romania had the lowest share of non-wage costs (4.8%), compared to France (32.3%) and Sweden (31.7%).

Compared to 2024, hourly costs increased by 4.1% in the EU and 3.8% in the euro area, with the largest increases in Bulgaria (+13.1%) and Romania (+10.6%).