Brussels, 03/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - According to the Eurostat 2008 statistical directory published on Monday 2 June, labour costs vary enormously from countries in the west and east of the European Union (according a 1-20 report). In Euros, the average hourly cost of labour in the EU27 was €20.35 in 2006.
Sweden was highest with €32.16, then Denmark 31.98, Luxembourg 31.98, Belgium 31.58. The lowest were in Lithuania €4.21, Latvia 3.41, Romania 2.68 and Bulgaria 1.65. France's hourly rate stands at €30.31 and the United Kingdom at €24.47. Social security contributions as part of labour costs paid by employers are highest in Sweden (30.6%), Belgium (30.3%) and France (28.6%). They are lowest in Denmark (10.9%) and Malta (6.9%). These costs have been calculated on full time salaries in companies in the industrial and services sectors employing a workforce of at least 10. (L.C.)