Where in the EU are workers most satisfied with their salaries: Eurobarometer data

Employees in the EU have varying levels of satisfaction with their salaries: from Scandinavian countries with a high level of trust in fair pay to Southern Europe, where most are concerned about compensation for their work. Find out where in the EU employees feel most confident about their salaries

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Fair wages are one of the key aspects of social justice and equality in the European Union, writes Euronews.

According to the report “Investing in Fairness” published by the European Commission, receiving adequate compensation for work based on skills and experience is becoming particularly important in times of rapid technological change, economic instability, and social transformation.

At the same time, two-thirds (67%) of workers in the EU are concerned that their wages do not match their skills and contribution to their work. These data underscore the need to ensure fair pay and support social equality.

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Where in Europe are wages higher?

A Eurobarometer survey showed significant differences between countries. Workers in Southern Europe are most concerned about fair pay: Portugal (86%), Cyprus (86%), Greece (85%), Italy (84%), Croatia (83%), and Spain (81%). In these countries, the majority of the population believes that their compensation does not reflect their actual level of skills and experience.

In contrast, workers in Northern and Western Europe, especially in the Scandinavian countries, are significantly less concerned. Denmark (19%), Sweden (26%), the Netherlands (28%), and Finland (34%) show the lowest rates, indicating a high level of trust in the social justice system.

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The situation varies across the major EU economies. Germany (56%) and Ireland (59%) remain below the EU average but significantly higher than the Scandinavian countries. In France, the level of concern is 73%, while Italy and Spain top the ranking among countries with the greatest sense of unfair pay.

The proportion of people who are “very concerned” about fair pay exceeds 40% in Croatia (47%), Greece (45%), and Italy (40%). Overall, in the EU, almost a third of respondents (30%) feel significant concern, and slightly more than a third (37%) feel some concern about pay equality.

It can therefore be concluded that satisfaction with wages varies significantly by region: Southern and Eastern Europe show high levels of concern, while Scandinavia and the Netherlands remain examples of greater social trust and equality.

We remind you! Ukrainian entrepreneurs are actively developing their businesses in Europe, gradually shifting their focus from the Ukrainian diaspora to local customers. Read more about how Ukrainian companies are adapting to new conditions and strengthening their positions in the international arena in our previous article.

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