December 16 (SeeNews) - Romania and Bulgaria had the highest annual increase in hourly labour costs in the third quarter of 2019 among European Union member states, the bloc's statistical office said on Monday.
Labour costs in Romania were 13.2% higher year-on-year in the first nine months of 2019, while in Bulgaria they grew by 10.0%, Eurostat said in a statement.
Romania and Bulgaria led in terms of rise in hourly labour costs in the previous quarter as well, with annual increases of 12.4% and 11.0%, respectively.
Hourly labour costs in Romania increased on an annual comparison basis in the third quarter of 2019 mainly due to higher wages and salaries. In Bulgaria, hourly labour costs rose due to higher non-wage costs.
Details on hourly labour costs follow (pct change):
Q3 2019 |
Total |
Wages |
Other |
Bulgaria |
10.0 |
9.7 |
11.2 |
Croatia |
5.0 |
6.0 |
-0.3 |
Greece |
n.a. |
n.a. |
n.a. |
Romania |
13.2 |
13.2 |
12.1 |
Slovenia |
3.3 |
3.4 |
2.7 |
EU average |
3.1 |
3.2 |
2.7 |
source: Eurostat