Finance

Euro zone wage growth slowing as expected, ECB data shows

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on July 30, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 22, 2026

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Euro zone wage growth slowing as expected, ECB data shows
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FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Euro zone wage growth will slow sharply this year, as predicted by economists, the European Central Bank's wage-tracker showed on Wednesday, supporting the bank's argument that

Euro Zone Wage Growth Expected to Slow Significantly in 2025

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Euro zone wage growth will slow sharply this year, as predicted by economists, the European Central Bank's wage-tracker showed on Wednesday, supporting the bank's argument that excessive inflation has now been defeated.

The ECB's wage tracker, which covers active collective bargaining agreements, indicates that negotiated wage growth, with smoothed one-off payments, was 4.6% in 2024 and would slow to 3.2% in 2025.

For the first quarter of 2026, the headline ECB wage tracker stands at 1.7%, down from 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025, the ECB added.

The figures are broadly in line with previous numbers in the tracker and suggest that wage growth is no longer a concerning issue for policymakers.

(Reporting by Balazs Koranyi)

Key Takeaways

  • Euro zone wage growth is predicted to slow in 2025.
  • ECB's wage tracker shows a decrease from 4.6% in 2024 to 3.2% in 2025.
  • First quarter of 2026 wage growth is projected at 1.7%.
  • The slowdown supports ECB's stance on inflation control.
  • Wage growth is no longer a major concern for policymakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the ECB's wage tracker indicate for 2024?
The ECB's wage tracker indicates that negotiated wage growth was 4.6% in 2024.
What is the projected wage growth for 2025?
The wage growth is expected to slow to 3.2% in 2025, according to the ECB's data.
How does the wage growth for the first quarter of 2026 compare to previous quarters?
For the first quarter of 2026, the headline ECB wage tracker stands at 1.7%, down from 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
What does the wage growth data suggest for policymakers?
The figures suggest that wage growth is no longer a concerning issue for policymakers.
Who reported the findings of the ECB's wage tracker?
The findings were reported by Balazs Koranyi.

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