Labour costs increase by 4.4% in the third quarter of 2024

Labour costs per worker and month increased by 4.4% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, reaching €3,020.71, according to the latest data. Of this amount, wages rose by 4.1% to €2,205.43, while other costs grew by 5.2%. Among these, compulsory Social Security contributions—the main component of other costs—increased by 4.5%.

When adjusted for calendar and seasonal effects, labour costs showed the same year-on-year increase of 4.4%, but compared to the previous quarter, they rose by 1.2%.

Labour costs by activity sectors

The highest increases in labour costs were observed in:

• Mining and quarrying
• Professional, scientific, and technical activities
• Healthcare and social work activities

On the other hand, the smallest increases were recorded in:

• Administrative and support service activities
• Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply
• Construction

Labour costs by autonomous communities

By region, the highest labour cost increases were reported in:

• Extremadura
• Region of Murcia
• Valencian Community

Meanwhile, the smallest increases occurred in:

• Andalusia
• Basque Country
• Castilla-La Mancha

Job vacancies in the labour market

Regarding job vacancies, the regions with the highest number of openings were:

• Madrid
• Catalonia
• Andalusia

Conversely, the regions with the lowest number of vacancies were:

• La Rioja
• Cantabria
• Extremadura

More information at INE