|
 |
Costs and productivity
Labour costs are higher in older member states. This goes hand-in-hand with very good productivity levels. Recent member states, where labour costs are much lower, are gradually catching up, and productivity has increased significantly over the past 12 years. Minimum contractual wages also influence labour costs.
|
 |
 |
 |
Hourly labour costs
DID YOU KNOW?
• In 2010, labour costs went up by 1.6% on average in the EU 27, with the biggest rises in Bulgaria (+8.6%) and Romania (+5%). The sharpest falls were recorded in Lithuania (-7%) and Latvia (-5.8%).
• Labour productivity per person (relative to constant 100 base for EU 27):
United States: 139.6 (1997) - 140.9 (2009)
Japan: 100.5 (1997) 92.9 (2009)
|
|
|
 IndicatoRS (click to enlarge)
Labour productivity per person employed: variation 1997-2009
 
Full time employees contractual wages
 |
|
