Group 1 - The average annual salary in the EU for 2024 is projected to be €39,808, with significant disparities among member states, showing a 5.4 times difference between the highest and lowest salaries [1] - Luxembourg has the highest average salary at €82,969, followed by Denmark, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, and Germany, all exceeding €50,000 [1] - Bulgaria has the lowest average salary at €15,387, with Greece and Hungary also below €20,000, while Croatia stands at €23,446, below the EU average [1] Group 2 - Economic structure and labor market factors are identified as the main reasons for salary disparities, with high-value industries like finance, IT, and advanced manufacturing leading to higher salaries [1] - The strength of labor unions, the coverage and depth of collective agreements, and statutory minimum wage levels significantly influence salary levels [2] - Adjusting for cost of living, the salary gap narrows, with Luxembourg's adjusted salary at €55,051 and Greece's at €21,644, reducing the disparity to 2.5 times [2] Group 3 - If the average nominal salary growth rate of the past five years continues, the EU average is expected to reach €41,600 in 2025 and €43,400 in 2026, although growth rates will vary significantly among countries [2]