Latest Eurostat estimates released today show that Ireland was one of seven EU countries where hourly labour costs fell in 2014.  Hourly costs in Ireland fell by 0.2% year on year.

Irish hourly labour costs at € 29.80 remain in the top ten in the EU but close to the euro area average of € 29.00.

The estimates also show that non-wage related costs as a proportion of the hourly labour costs in Ireland are less than many of the other higher cost countries.

These estimates for 2014 come from a publication issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Data cover enterprises with 10 or more employees and are based on the 2012 Labour Cost Survey and the Labour Cost Index.

Non-wage costs such as employers' social contributions accounted for 13.5% of Ireland's hourly wage, lower that the EU average 24.4%. The lowest non-wage costs were seen in Malta (6.9%) and Denmark (13.1%) and the highest in Sweden (31.6%) and France (33.1%).

Furthermore, a breakdown per sector shows that labour costs in Ireland in 2014 were highest in the non-business sector (excluding public administration) at €33.8 per hour, followed by Industry ((€32.1) the business economy (€28.4), Services (€27.2), and Construction (€26.7). The mainly non-business economy (except public administration) includes Education; Human health & social work activities; Arts, entertainment & recreation; and other service activities.

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