The idea of equity is critically necessary in an period outlined by fast technological developments, financial fluctuations, and social transformations, based on the ‘Investing in Equity’ report revealed by the European Fee. Wage is likely one of the most important elements of this aim, with staff eager to obtain applicable compensation for his or her work.
Receiving a good wage based mostly on abilities and expertise helps the EU’s dedication to selling social justice and equality. Nevertheless, two-thirds (67%) of individuals within the EU are involved about not receiving a good wage based mostly on their skillset and expertise. “This highlights the significance of truthful compensation for work,” the report says.
Worries about not receiving a good wage to satisfy family wants range extensively throughout Europe. Based on the Eurobarometer survey within the report, it ranges from 19% in Denmark to 86% in Portugal and Cyprus.
In 22 EU nations, at the least half of respondents are apprehensive about not receiving a good wage.
The fear stage represents respondents who’re both ‘very apprehensive’ or ‘pretty apprehensive’. An in depth breakdown of fear ranges is proven in one other chart beneath.
Southern Europe vs Nordic nations
Basically, geographical patterns emerge when analyzing the degrees of fear. Individuals in Southern and Japanese Europe categorical larger concern about wage equity, whereas these in Northern and Western Europe, specifically the Nordic nations, report decrease ranges of concern.
The very best ranges of fear are clearly seen in Southern Europe. These embody Portugal (86%), Cyprus (86%), Greece (85%), Italy (84%), Croatia (83%), and Spain (81%).
In distinction, three Nordic nations and the Netherlands report the bottom worries about wage equity: Denmark (19%), Sweden (26%), Netherlands (28%), and Finland (34%). These ranges are considerably decrease than the EU common, pointing to the inhabitants’s belief in social justice and equality.
Germany (56%) and Eire (59%) are nonetheless beneath the EU common however notably larger than the 4 nations on the backside.
This makes Germany the least apprehensive nation about truthful pay among the many EU’s high 4 economies, whereas Italy and Spain rank within the highest group. France can also be above the EU common at 73%.
Wanting on the breakdown of fear ranges, greater than half of individuals in three nations are ‘very apprehensive’ about not receiving a good wage based mostly on their abilities and expertise. They’re Cyprus (59%), Portugal (55%) and Spain (54%).
The proportion of people who find themselves ‘very apprehensive’ can also be 40% or larger in three extra nations: Croatia (47%), Greece (45%), and Italy (40%).
All six nations are situated in Southern Europe.
Within the EU, practically one-third report being very apprehensive (30%), whereas barely greater than one-third really feel pretty apprehensive (37%).
Share of individuals not apprehensive about truthful pay
In contrast, practically one-third of respondents (31%) within the EU say they don’t seem to be apprehensive about receiving a good wage based mostly on their abilities and expertise. Amongst them, one fifth (20%) aren’t very apprehensive, and barely a couple of tenth (11%) aren’t apprehensive in any respect.
Do gender and age matter?
Gender doesn’t play a major function within the stage of fear about truthful wage, because the distinction is just three proportion factors (69% vs. 66%). The identical holds true for age teams as much as 54, all at round 74%, whereas the determine falls to 57% amongst these aged 55 and over.
Correlation between revenue and fear ranges
There’s a average adverse correlation between annual web earnings and fear ranges. Because of this fear tends to lower as revenue will increase.
Nevertheless, the correlation shouldn’t be robust and explains solely about 30% of the variations between nations. The chart additionally reveals that some nations with comparable revenue ranges have considerably completely different fear ranges.
The correlation is barely weaker when annual web earnings in PPS (Buying Energy Customary) are used. This enables for higher comparability throughout nations by eradicating value variations.
The survey was performed in January and February 2025.