European HR Statistics

A profile of the European Union (EU) in figures #

  • Member states (current number): 27
  • Population (2011): 502.5 million
  • Population aged 15+ (2010): 415.7 million
  • Working population (2010): 216.4 million
  • Of which employees (2010): 180 million
  • Proportion of employees who are women (2010): 47.6%
  • Self-employed workers (2010): 36.4 million
  • Proportion of employed population in industry (2010): 25.4%
  • Proportion of employed population in service sector (2010): 69.5%
  • Employment rate – secondary education – age 25-64 (2010): 45.1%
  • Employment rate – tertiary education – age 25-64 (2010): 82.3%
  • Unemployment rate (August 2011) 9.5%
  • Average hours worked per week – Full-time (2010): 40.4 hours
  • Average hours worked per week – Part-time (2010): 20.2 hours
  • Proportion of employees in skilled nonmanual job (2010): 39.9%
  • Proportion of employees in skilled manual job (2010): 25.5%
  • Proportion of employees with temporary contract (2010): 13.9%
  • Proportion of employees with part-time contract (2010): 19.3%
  • Proportion of 18-24 year olds in education or training (2010): 52.2%
  • Median country gross hourly pay (April 2011): 9.20 euros per hour (Spain)
  • Consumer price (HICP) annual rate (September 2011): +3.3%
  • Real Gross domestic product (GDP) – annual growth rate (2011): +1.8%
  • Manufacturing order books – annual growth rate (August 2011): +6.5%
  • GDP per hour worked – in US dollars (euro area only: 2010): $49.1
  • GDP per hour worked – comparative – USA = 100 (euro area only 2010): 82.5%
  • Government borrowing deficit: % of GDP (2010): 6.6%

European union league tables

  • Largest national economy (GDP): Germany
  • Smallest national economy (GDP): Malta
  • Countries with lowest economic growth (2011/12): Portugal, Greece
  • Countries with highest economic growth (2011/12): Lithuania, Slovakia
  • Country with the highest median gross hourly pay level: Denmark
  • Country with the lowest median gross hourly pay level: Bulgaria
  • Countries with lowest tax rate (Corporation tax): Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hungary
  • Countries with highest tax rate (Corporation tax): Malta, France, Belgium
  • Countries with lowest top marginal tax rate (Income tax): Bulgaria, Lithuania, Czech Republic
  • Countries with highest marginal tax rate (Income tax): Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands
  • Countries with toughest dismissal laws: Spain, France, Netherlands, Sweden
  • Countries with most employer-friendly laws: UK, Irish Republic

# Averages unless otherwise specified
NB Some European countries outside the EU have higher or lower figures (rates)


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