Average hourly wages and salaries in the European Union rose 4.4% to €22.90 in 2022, Eurostat reported. Countries where wages rose the most include Hungary, up 16.4%; Bulgaria, up 15.5%; Romania, up 12.3%; and Poland, up 11.7%.

Denmark and Sweden recorded the smallest increases, up 2.2% and 3.0%, respectively.

European Union industries that saw the highest wage increase included “mining and quarrying,” up 9.6%; “professional, scientific and technical activities,” up 6.4%; “electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply,” up 5.6%; and “financial and insurance activities,” up 5.6.%.

Focusing on just the euro area, average hourly wages and salaries rose 4.0% to €25.50. Average hourly wage increased the most in Lithuania, up 13.4%; Estonia, up 8.8%; and Croatia, up 8.7%. Euro area countries with the smallest increases were Italy, Malta and Finland, all up 2.3%.