Private- and public-sector enterprises: slower earnings growth in constant euros in 2010

In 2010, the average monthly full-time-equivalent (FTE) wage of an employee in a private- or public-sector enterprise was €2,764 gross and €2,082 nets of all withholding taxes. Average net earnings rose 2% in current euros on the previous year. With inflation quickening to 1.5% in 2010, the growth in average net earnings in constant euros slowed from 1.2% in 2009 to 0.5% in 2010. The improvement in the labour market benefited managerial workers more than low-wage employees, and women more than men. The gender wage gap stayed on its mild downtrend begun in 2008 but is still running close to 20%.