How do salaries in Malta compare to the rest of Europe?

A new analysis by Euronews, based on Eurostat data, has revealed how full-time adjusted salaries compare across the European Union – and Malta's position is somewhere in the middle of the pack.

According to 2023 figures, the average gross monthly salary for a full-time employee in Malta stood at €2,499, placing it well below the EU average of €3,155. In nominal terms, this puts Malta behind countries like Italy (€3,550), France (€3,397), and Germany (€4,250), though ahead of several Eastern European member states, including Poland (€1,505), Romania, and Hungary (each around €1,400).

However, when salaries are adjusted for purchasing power standards (PPS) – which accounts for the cost of living in each country – Malta’s average salary improves to €2,709 PPS, although still below the EU average of €3,155 PPS. The top countries in terms of PPS-adjusted salaries include Luxembourg (€4,479), Belgium (€4,038), and Denmark (€3,904).

The Euronews analysis also found that Malta’s average salary rose by 16 per cent between 2018 and 2023, slightly below the EU-wide increase of 19 per cent. This is in contrast to Lithuania, which saw a staggering 102 per cent salary growth in the same period, while Sweden recorded the lowest increase at just four per cent.

NSO data shows wage growth uneven across sectors

Data from Malta’s National Statistics Office (NSO) provides further insight into the state of local wages. The average salary in Malta during Q4 2024 was €1,997, up from €1,555 in the same quarter of 2020 – a notable increase over four years, although still significantly lower than the €2,499 gross salary reported in the Eurostat-adjusted figure.

A breakdown by economic sector reveals stark discrepancies:

• Employees in financial and insurance activities continued to earn the most, with average monthly salaries exceeding €2,777.
• Public administration, education, health, and social work professions saw moderate growth, with average salaries rising from €2,079 to €2,205.
• Workers in retail, transport, accommodation, and food services experienced minimal growth, with average wages increasing by just €15, from €1,663 to €1,678.
• The manufacturing sector saw more substantial gains, with salaries rising by €125 to reach €1,801.

Wide wage disparities based on job classification

The NSO also highlighted the persistent wage gap between occupational levels. Employees in elementary occupations earned an average of €1,239, while those in managerial positions commanded significantly higher salaries, averaging €3,170 per month – more than double the national average.