Pay in European social services remains 20% below average

Eurofound, the European agency for the improvement of working conditions, has published a new study comparing hourly wages pay in the social services sector with those in all sectors of activity.

At the joint request of the European social partners in the sector, the Social Employers, CEMR and EPSU, Eurofound examined wage levels and their development between 2018 and 2022, the most recent period for which data are available.

A key sector of the economy

Eurofound points out that the sector employs 10 million people in Europe, or 5% of the workforce, with large differences between countries. It is a fast-growing sector, having increased from 8 million to 10 million employees in 10 years, with stronger growth in non-residential services.

The study also shows that 83% of professionals are women and that the workforce is on average older than in all sectors combined.

No change in salary levels

Since 2018, the average hourly wage of professionals in the sector has remained around 20% below the average wage across all sectors. Eurofound notes that in these conditions, it is not surprising that 37% of employees in the sector, compared with 26% overall, consider themselves to be underpaid for their duties.

Are there differences between countries?

Hourly wages for professionals are below the national average  in all countries, ranging from -41% in Hungary to -3% in Luxembourg.

Not just wages

The Eurofound study stresses the need to improve pay levels to cope with the staff shortages in the sector, but also points to the importance of taking action on working conditions, gender segregation in the sector, and work-life balance. Eurofound also mentions the need to provide affordable housing to social services workers as well as adequate care for their children and relatives.

A call for strategic investment

As the European Commission prepares a new Action Plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Social Employers reaffirm that their ambition to improve working conditions in the social services sector can only be met if the financial dimension is addressed head-on. Without substantial and predictable public funding, including large-scale EU and national investment plans, employers will not be able to deliver on quality jobs nor ensure sustainable services to persons with support needs.

This study is a useful addition to the Framework of actions on retention and recruitment in social services signed at European level on 26 June.

Read the study here.