Labor Costs in the EU-27 from 2001-2011

The Netherlands Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) - with input from Eurostat - has recently calculated the development of labor costs in the whole of the EU over the past decade. The Netherlands' labor cost increase in this period was equal to that of the EU average.  German labor costs increases were the lowest of the whole EU while labor costs in the newer and less developed member countries showed the strongest increases. All calculations are made on local currencies.  Here's the chart from the CBS website listing all EU member countries: 

www.amcham.nl/files/File/chart%20labor%20costs%202001-11.gif

In 2011 Hourly labor costs ranged between €3.5 and €39.3 in the EU27 Member States. The average hourly labor costs were estimated to be €23.1 in the EU27 business economy in 2011, and €27.6 in the euro area (EA17). However, this average masks significant differences between Member States, with hourly labor costs ranging from €3.5 to €39.3. Labor costs are made up of costs for wages & salaries, plus non-wage costs such as employer's social contributions.

In 2011, the highest hourly labor costs were estimated for Belgium (€39.3), Sweden (€39.1), Denmark (€38.6), France (€34.2), Luxembourg (€33.7), the Netherlands (€31.1) and Germany (€30.1).

The lowest hourly labor costs were estimated for Bulgaria (€3.5), Romania (€4.2 in 2010), Lithuania (€5.5) and Latvia (€5.9). While comparing labor cost estimates in euro over time, it should be noted that data for those Member States outside the euro area are influenced by exchange rate movements.

See:  http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/3-24042012-AP/EN/3-24042012-AP-EN.PDF  of Eurostat for a illustrative chart.