Brussels, 22/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - During the second quarter 2005, the total hourly cost of labour increased by 2.3% in the euro zone and by 2.6% in the EU25, compared to the second quarter 2004. Rises in the first quarter 2005 were 3% and 3.4% respectively compared to the same period in 2004. In industry, hourly labour costs increased by 2.3% in the euro zone and by 2.2% in the EU25. Taking each country separately, the lowest increases were noted in Germany (+0.8%), Malta (+1.1%), Poland (+1.8%), Portugal (+2.5%), France and Sweden (2.7% each). The most significant rises were in Latvia (+14.2%), Estonia (+10.4%), Slovakia (+7.6%), Slovenia (+7.2%) and Lithuania (+7.2%).