Croatia’s average hourly labour costs in 2017 were less than half of the EU average, and among the lowest in the Union, Eurostat reported on Monday.

Average labour costs across the EU were €26.8 per hour, the highest being in the industry sector at €27.4, followed by services (€26.6), and construction (€23.7). Labour costs in the euro zone were slightly higher at €30.3. By sector, they were €33.4 in industry, €29.3 in services and €26.7 in construction.

Scandinavian and Benelux countries topped the list with the highest labour costs, while EU members in east and southeast Europe were at the bottom. The report showed a big gap between the EU countries, ranging from €42.5 in Denmark, to only €4.9 in Bulgaria.

Croatia was closer to the bottom group, with hourly labour costs of €10.6. Unlike in the rest of the EU, services had the highest costs in Croatia, with €11.4, followed by construction (€9.8) and industry (€9.7).