A Eurofound report reveals that while employment in low-paid jobs is rising, it grows more slowly than in higher-paid roles. Over two decades, minimum wage policies have influenced employment structures across the EU, intensifying trends of job upgrading and polarization.
A new Eurofound report, Minimum wages in 2026: Annual review, finds that national minimum wages continued to rise across Europe in 2026, with the largest increases again recorded in central and eastern Europe. Minimum wage earners also gained purchasing power in virtually all Member States in 2026, as lower inflation in January 2026 more than offset increases in nominal minimum wages.
A new Eurofound report, The shift to hybrid working: Management challenges, finds that the biggest challenge is no longer where people work, but how hybrid work is organised, coordinated and, crucially, managed.
41% of employees in Luxembourg and 38% in the Netherlands and Sweden worked from home at least sometimes in 2024. Overall, one in five employees telework or have flexitime arrangements in the EU, but there are significant differences in the bloc.
Europe is set to fall 5 million jobs short of its 2030 Digital Decade target of having 20 million information and communications technology (ICT) specialists in employment in the EU by 2030, despite employment in the sector growing fast – with an annual growth rate of 7-8% compared with an overall employment growth rate of just over 1%.
Close to one in five jobs in the EU (19%) could be classified as vulnerable – a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing income inadequacy, employment insecurity and lack of workplace rights.
Increasing regional disparities, a growing affordability crisis, and a lack of agency for renters are leaving a significant portion of the European population dangerously exposed to climate change, as highlighted in the latest episode of Eurofound Talks.
