Hungary had the third-lowest average annual full-time adjusted salary in the European Union in 2025, with employees earning an average of €20,100 a year, according to the latest figures published by Eurostat. Only Greece and Bulgaria recorded lower levels, while the EU-wide average reached €41,500.
The figures show a substantial gap between Hungary and the bloc’s wealthiest countries. Luxembourg recorded the highest average annual salary at €85,600, followed by Denmark with €73,500 and Ireland with €64,400. Hungary’s figure was less than one quarter of Luxembourg’s and did not reach one third of the average in any of the three highest-paying countries.
How does Hungary compare with the EU?
The EU average annual full-time adjusted salary rose by 4.3% in 2025, from €39,800 in 2024 to €41,500. However, the differences between member states remain considerable.
| Country | Average annual salary in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Luxembourg | €85,600 |
| Denmark | €73,500 |
| Ireland | €64,400 |
| EU average | €41,500 |
| Hungary | €20,100 |
| Greece | €18,800 |
| Bulgaria | €16,200 |
Hungary’s position near the bottom of the ranking highlights the scale of the income gap between the country and many of its EU partners. Its average was €21,400 below the EU figure, meaning it amounted to less than half the bloc-wide level.
The three lowest-ranking countries were Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary, while the highest salaries were concentrated in Western and Northern Europe.
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What do the figures measure?
Eurostat’s indicator is the average annual full-time adjusted salary for employees. It is designed to make salaries comparable across countries by adjusting figures to reflect full-time employment.
It should not be confused with the average monthly net wage received by workers, as it is an annual adjusted measure rather than a direct comparison of take-home pay.
The figure shows the significant differences in average earnings across the EU, with Hungary remaining among the countries with the lowest salary levels despite the overall increase in European wages.
