Over the past year, national minimum wages continued to rise substantially across the EU, especially in central and eastern European countries, continuing the narrowing of regional disparities. The EU Minimum Wage Directive has emerged as a significant driver of minimum wage hikes in many countries, which have exceeded inflation levels and increased faster than collectively agreed wage floors in many low-paid sectors.

The 2026 European Employment and Social Rights Forum explored how Europe can secure quality jobs, fair opportunities and effective social protection, while adapting to technological change, economic pressures and an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment. 

Across Europe, labour markets continue to face growing imbalances. This annual EURES report explores the situation in 2025 across EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, shedding light on persistent occupational shortages and surpluses. It examines the underlying causes, from demographic change to skills mismatches and limited labour mobility, and highlights the need for more coordinated and forward-looking policy responses.

The Policy Analysis Group of the EU Employment Committee (EMCO) organised on 24 and 25 March a tripartite meeting with social partners to discuss the gender dimensions of job quality. It gathered Member States, the Commission and social partners at cross-industry EU level - ETUC, BusinessEurope, SGI Europe, and SMEunited - and national level.