Average salaries vary significantly across Europe—and so does the cost of living. But which countries offer the highest wages, and how do they compare when adjusted for purchasing power?
According to recent data, there are various definitions of income, salaries, and earnings, each reflecting different economic perspectives. However, gross average monthly salaries offer a useful benchmark for comparison.
🔝 Countries with the Highest Average Salaries in the EU
Denmark and Luxembourg lead the European Union in terms of high salaries, with Denmark offering an average gross monthly salary of €5,634. Ireland (€4,890) and Belgium (€4,832) follow closely behind.
Other countries exceeding the €4,000 mark include:
- Austria: €4,542
- Germany: €4,250
- Finland: €4,033
In contrast, nearly 10 out of 26 EU countries report average salaries below €2,000.
In four EU member states, average gross monthly wages fall below €1,500. Poland sits slightly above that threshold at €1,505, while Romania, Greece, and Hungary each report wages around €1,400.
💼 The Largest EU Economies Compared
Among the EU’s four largest economies, Germany stands out with the highest average salary at €4,250. It’s followed by:
- France: €3,555
- Italy: €2,729
- Spain: €2,716
Both Italy and Spain fall more than €400 below the EU average.
🌍 Outside the EU: Even Higher Salaries
Beyond the EU, data from the OECD provides a broader look at European wages. In 2023:
- Switzerland topped the chart with an average salary of €8,104—the highest in Europe.
- Norway, part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), reported an average of €5,027.
- The United Kingdom registered an average salary of €4,220.
- The Netherlands also ranked high, with €4,629 per month.
Meanwhile, Turkey, a candidate for EU membership, reported the lowest average wage in the region at just €873—making it the only country below the €1,000 mark.
📊 EU Averages and Trends
Eurostat figures are based on gross annual wages for full-time employees, later converted to monthly figures for comparison. In 2023, monthly wages ranged from €1,125 in Bulgaria to €6,755 in Luxembourg. The EU average stood at €3,155.
The general trend indicates that Western and Northern Europe offer the highest salaries, while Southern and Eastern Europe tend to have significantly lower nominal wages.
