Romania, Second In EU By Labor Cost Growth – Eurostat

During July- September 2007, employers’ labor costs hiked by 23.2% compared with the same period a year ago, which is slightly up from the 24.3% level registered in the second quarter of 2007, the Eurostat report indicates.

In Romania, labor costs in the service sector saw the highest increase compared with 26.1% a year ago. The growth rate in labor costs in the sectors of constructions and industry reached 25.2% and 20.5%, respectively.

As regards the 27 EU member states, the labor costs averaged 3.7% compared with the 3.2% hike in the third quarter in 2006.

Employers’ labor costs in the third quarter saw the slightest increase in Germany (0.9%) and Finland (1.9%).