Pay gap between Belgium and neighbours shrinks

Belgium’s hourly labour costs increased by 0.1% during the second quarter of 2016, compared to twelve months earlier.

This is according figures published by Eurostat today (Friday). This is a far less rapid upsurge than in neighbouring countries, with the exception of Luxembourg.

In Germany, hourly labour costs have thus risen by 1.8%, 1.4% in France and 0.6% in the Netherlands.

On the other hand, in Luxembourg hourly labour costs have diminished by 1.1%.

Costs increased by an average of 1% in the eurozone and 1.4% within the 28 European Union countries. In the first quarter of 2016, hourly labour costs increased by 1.6% within both zones.

The most significant increases were witnessed in Romania (+12%), Latvia (+9.5%), Bulgaria (+7.3%) and Lithuania (+6.6%).

In addition to Luxembourg, Italy and Finland also had reductions in labour costs over the second quarter (being -1.1% and -2% respectively).


The author: Michel DEURINCK

Michel Deurinck, born in Brussels in 1950, started his career in the Belgian civil service, dedicating over 30 years to public service. Upon retirement, he pursued his passion for journalism. Transitioning into this new field, he quickly gained recognition for his insightful reporting on politics and culture. Deurinck's balanced and thoughtful approach to journalism has made him a respected figure in Belgian media.

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