A single worker earning the average wage in Luxembourg takes home more than four times as much as their counterpart in Hungary, according to the latest Eurostat figures released in mid-2026. The data, covering 2025, highlights the persistent disparities in take-home pay across the European Union and the wider continent.
Annual net earnings for a single person without children range from €12,967 in Hungary to €54,260 in Luxembourg. Only two other EU countries exceed €40,000: Ireland (€44,263) and Denmark (€41,981). The EU average stands at €26,929.
Where earnings fall short
In ten EU member states, net earnings remain below €20,000. The lowest group includes Hungary, Romania (€13,233), Greece (€15,050), Slovakia (€15,686), and Poland (€16,163). Latvia (€16,793), Croatia (€17,256), Lithuania (€18,650), Czechia (€19,569), and Portugal (€19,709) are slightly higher but still below the threshold. Bulgaria, which had the lowest net earnings in 2024, has been excluded pending Eurostat confirmation due to an unusually sharp increase in its updated figures.
Estonia (€20,045), Slovenia (€22,503), Cyprus (€23,524), and Malta (€25,544) sit between €20,000 and the EU average. Among the bloc's four largest economies, Germany (€31,000) and France (€30,832) rank just above the EU average, while Spain (€25,263) and Italy (€24,471) fall below it.
Living costs change the picture
When adjusted for purchasing power, the gap between the highest and lowest earners narrows significantly. In nominal terms, the top-ranked country pays 4.2 times more than the bottom; in purchasing power standards (PPS), the ratio drops to 2.3 times. The EU average in PPS is €26,346, with Luxembourg still leading at €40,846 and Greece falling to the bottom at €17,509.
Some countries gain ground in PPS rankings. Romania jumps from second lowest to mid-table, overtaking several peers. Poland moves above Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Spain overtakes France and narrows the gap with Germany. Conversely, Denmark drops behind Ireland, Austria, and the Netherlands. Greece falls below Hungary, becoming the lowest in the EU.
These shifts reflect the lower cost of living in parts of eastern and southern Europe. While nominal wages in countries like Romania and Poland are far below those in western Europe, their purchasing power is relatively stronger. This helps narrow the east-west divide, though significant differences remain. For context, the EBRD recently cut its growth forecast for the region, partly due to energy shocks that could further strain household budgets.
Family allowances shift rankings
The figures above apply to single workers without children. When dependent children are present, net earnings can change substantially due to family benefits and tax breaks. Germany emerges as the most generous country: net earnings for a one-earner couple with two children are 53% higher than for a single person, rising from €31,000 to €47,424. Among major economies, Spain shows the smallest increase at just 13%, while France and Italy see rises of 26% and 25%, respectively.
These differences underscore how tax and benefit systems shape disposable income across Europe. In countries with strong family support, households with children can significantly improve their financial standing relative to single earners. The data also highlights the importance of considering family status when comparing take-home pay across borders.
For a broader perspective on how European integration is perceived, a recent Pew survey found rising EU support even in the UK, suggesting that despite economic disparities, the bloc's appeal endures.
