Despite the stagnation experienced by the economic engines of the Old Continent; Salaries continue to rise in European Union member states. According to Eurostat, the average European salary is expected to reach 39,800 euros in 2024. 5.2% increase compared to the previous year.
but, Spaniards’ salaries couldn’t keep up. Over the same period, the country’s GDP grew more than three times that of the EU as a whole (3.5% vs. 1%), but workers’ salaries did not keep up with this pace.
According to data from the European Commission, salaries for Spaniards increased by 4.6%. below community average.
Therefore, the average salary for a Spaniard remains at 33,700 euros. This increases the distance between Spanish and European rewards.
According to 2023 data, the average salary for Spaniards was 17.4% lower than the regional average. Contains information for 2024this figure rises to 18.1% (about 6,100 euros)..
There are further questions such as: purchasing power. It is true that inflation in Spain will grow less than wages in 2024. Prices rose 2.9%. This is 1.7 percentage points lower than salaries and increases purchasing power for workers.
However, in this aspect too, our country is inferior to the EU average. Regional inflation remained at 2.6%. That is, it is lower than Spanish. In addition to this, salaries have also increased significantly. Purchasing power increases by 2.6 points.
This gradual evolution of salaries (especially with respect to inflation) The number of Spaniards holding multiple jobs is rapidly increasing. In fact, as this newspaper previously reported, last summer saw the highest level of moonlight on record.
“Stagnation in wages, rising inflation, and difficulties in accessing quality jobs are becoming more severe.” New survival strategies among active people” warns Infojobs.
“More and more people are turning to additional work, either on their own or directly, by accepting commissions. They are willing to receive a portion of their income outside the formal circuit.” they added.
In fact, according to an analysis of job sites,One in four Spaniards agrees to receive part or all of their salary in B.one in 10 admitted to doing so in the past two years. Additionally, 10% of the employed population combine several jobs or activities to supplement their income. ”
moreover: 26% of Spaniards would like to collect part or all of their salary in B10% admitted to doing so in the past two years.
This is a mindset that is prevalent among the youngest and lowest income groups. “Almost half of young people aged 18 to 24 would accept being paid outside the formal circuit. The proportion of people with a monthly income of less than 1,000 euros reaches 38%.”.
On the other hand, as age and salary level increase, so does opposition to this practice. However, “among high-income profiles, one in five recognize that they would consider it as an option.”
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